Police investigating drowning death confirm man was father to child swimmers

More heartbreaking details have emerged the day after a drowning death of a man at Carlton Beach. What police have confirmed on Monday.

Tasmania Police generic image police car

Heartbreaking details have emerged from the drowning death of a man at Carlton Beach, with police confirming on Monday the man was related to the children he attempted to rescue.

Police and emergency services were called to the southern Tasmanian beach at around 1pm on Sunday after reports a group of five swimmers – one man and four children – were experiencing difficulty in strong currents.

People left tributes at Carlton Beach, where a man drowned on Sunday trying to rescue four children swimming. Picture: supplied.

Not even 24 hours after the incident, Tasmania Police have on Monday confirmed the 38-year-old man was a father to the children and had swum out from the beach to rescue his children.

The man was also verified as a Brighton resident.

All five were retrieved from the water, where paramedics performed CPR on the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police on Sunday said the other children were young swimmers and did not require medical treatment.

Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Latham said the investigation was in the initial stages, but said early indications show Surf Life Saving arrived quickly to the scene.

“I know that Surf Life Saving at Carlton Beach performed the rescue and they were able to get the children out,” he said.

Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Latham. Picture: Genevieve Holding

“My understanding is that the male remained out there and they went back for him.

“I understand that he was actually conscious when he was put in the boat, but unfortunately, then became unconscious and CPR commenced at that point.

“From there, I understand paramedics then attended and continued CPR on the beach, and unfortunately, he passed away at the scene,”

Inspector Latham said it was believed people on the beach placed the call to emergency services after noticing the group, including the male, in distress.

He also said the family of the swimmers were at the nearby Carlton Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

Inspector Latham said it was “not appropriate to comment” if the deceased male and young swimmers rescued were known to each other.

Action from the Carlton Park Surf Carnival at Carlton Beach which was eventually called off due to high winds. Lifesaving manager at the Carlton Park surf lifesaving club, Michael Stolp. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“My understanding is that the search and rescue people attended very, very swiftly, obviously followed then by police to provide support,” he said.

“Given it’s very early in the investigation, we need to determine where the children were at the time and how they got themselves in trouble,” he said.

“Suffice to say, they found themselves in trouble that then triggered this man to go and attempt a rescue.”

Inspector Latham said this was a timely message to be vigilant at the beach and near water, especially with young children.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Originally published as Police investigating drowning death confirm man was father to child swimmers