Swimmer drowns in massive Gold Coast surf

Two young women have been rushed to hospital after a near-drowning on the Gold Coast that follows in the wake of three tragic deaths in just 36 hours on the tourist strip.

A swimmer has drowned in massive swells off the Gold Coast this morning in the third tragedy in just 36 hours in the deadly surf.

And despite the tragedies, two more people had a lucky escape and were rushed to hospital following a near-drowning just hours later.

Paramedics transported the two patients to the Gold Coast University Hospital in stable conditions following the incident at Seaworld Drive and Muriel Henchman Drive on the Southport Spit at 2.23pm.

The patients were two women aged in their 20s, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

She said they were treated by lifesavers on the beach before being taken to hospital in a stable condition.

It follows the drowning of a 34-year-old a Victorian man at Mermaid Beach earlier on Saturday.

Critical care paramedics desperately worked on the man on the sand, near Hedges Ave, after being called to the scene at 7.41am but were unable to revive them.

A 34-year-old man has drowned in large surf near Mermaid Beach Surf Club on the Gold Coast. Picture: Greg Stolz

Two 16-year-old female lifesavers were among eight Mermaid Beach clubbies who went to the man’s rescue as the drama unfolded directly across the road from the surf club.

The man’s girlfriend arrived at the beach about two hours after the tragedy, looking for her partner.

She was taken in a distressed state to the surf club to be comforted by lifesavers.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Gold Coast co-ordinator Nathan Fife said it had been a horrific 48 hours and warned the dangerous conditions were set to continue into next week.

Massive swells are smashing the Gold Coast today. Photo: Scott Powick

“We’ve lost three lives,” he said.

“Our lifesavers do such a great job but we can’t save people when they’re swimming outside patrols times or at night.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get a message out there.

“Along those open beaches, every 100m there’s a rip, and they’re hard to spot

“We want people to listen to our lifesavers and lifeguards and do the right thing - set an example for your friends and family.

“If the beach is closed ... go away. The southern beaches are open. Definitely go down there but only between those red and yellow flags.”

Queensland Ambulance Service acting operations supervisor Jayney Shearman said surf conditions were treacherous and swimmers had been warned to stay out of the water.

Jake Jacobs and Julia Boika tragically drowned on the Gold Coast. TV weatherman Luke Bradnam spotted Mr Jacobs’ body in the surf.

Gold Coast beaches are closed as massive swells up to 2m are whipped up by ex tropical cyclone Lucas.

It follows the tragic double drowning just a few kilometres up the road at Broadbeach on Thursday night where gym manager Jake Jacobs, 32, and his female companion Julia Boika, 29, died after a late-night swim.

Ms Boika washed up dead on the beach about an hour later but Mr Jacobs was not found until nearly 24 hours later, spotted floating in swells off Main Beach last night.

Meanwhile on the Sunshine Coast, a man has been hospitalised stable with back injuries after being dumped in the surf at Coolum Beach.

Surfers at Snapper Rocks yesterday where swells are particularly big, whipped up by an ex cyclone. Photo: Scott Powick