Wappa Falls rescue: Father’s body retrieved after trying to save child

In a tragic start to the new year, a Toowoomba father drowned at a popular Sunshine Coast waterfall after he dived into rapid waters to rescue his young son.

Family and friends are in mourning after a father’s life was tragically lost after he drowned at Wappa Falls while trying to save his seven-year-old son.

Queensland Police confirmed the Toowoomba 49-year-old’s body was found after he dived into rapid water to rescue his child at the Sunshine Coast waterfall.

Queensland Ambulance, police and fire services arrived at the scene on Pump Station Rd, Kiamba, about 2pm on Sunday when the man was reported missing.

The body of a man has been found at Wappa Falls after he dived into treacherous waters to rescue his child. Picture: Brendan West

Police district duty officer Brett Young said police divers retrieved the body of the man in treacherous conditions at 6.29pm.

“A family and several other civilians were at the waterfall when the young child has gotten into trouble and fallen into the waterfall area,” he said.

“The father entered the water to retrieve his young son and unfortunately the father has slipped in the water and not re-emerged.

“The child was retrieved by other witnesses that saw the event.”

Rescue crews including police divers searched for more than four hours before the found the body of a missing man at Wappa Falls on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Brendan West

The child was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital for observation and was not injured.

Senior Sergeant Young said the resources of a police dive squad and a QFES swift water rescue team were thanked.

“It was quite a difficult dive considering the treacherous conditions today, so it was excellent work from the QPS divers to retrieve the male person,” he said.

Senior Sergeant Young urged people to be careful, especially during the holiday season.

“A message I want to get out particularly at Christmas time in relation to treacherous waters, please be aware of treacherous waters, obey the signs in relation to the areas you are attending and don't go in treacherous waters,” he said.

SEQ Water records show the nearby Wappa Dam is at 101.2 per cent capacity after the region experienced heavy rainfall over the holiday period.

The rescue comes after 15-year-old Nambour High student Mitchell Edwards drowned at Wappa Falls in 2007.