Paradise Point parklands: Police find body of 29-year-old man missing in water

Police have tragically found the body of a man who went missing after he failed to resurface while swimming on the Gold Coast.

Police have tragically found the body of a man who went missing after he failed to resurface while swimming on the Gold Coast.

Emergency services were called to Paradise Point parklands around 4pm on Sunday after a 29-year-old man became stuck in nets while swimming at the enclosure.

Police confirmed they found the body four hours after he went missing, following a frantic search including water police, Polair and the dive squad.

A man who witnessed the tragedy claimed there was two men sitting on the net’s float when one disappeared.

A person is missing while swimming at Paradise Point Parklands on the Gold Coast. Picture: Kathleen Skene

“ They were both sitting there … two guys maybe 27, 28 years old, and the guy says hold my beer,” he said.

“I said ‘stop’, you could see what was going to happen.

“He tried to jump off but the current took him, he came up once and I swam to him but then he went under the net.”

The visibly shaken witness said the man did not resurface.

“It was so f***ing obvious what was going to happen, it’s why I yelled ‘don’t!

“It’s so sad.”

The missing man’s friend spoke to paramedics to assist in the search.

At the scene. Picture: Kathleen Skene

Water police scoured the Broadwater while a police helicopter circled above crowds escaping the sweltering heat.

Firefighters with snorkels were seen entering the water. The firefighters had tied ropes around themselves.

Ambulance staff at Paradise Point Parklands on the Gold Coast. Picture: Kathleen Skene

At around 5pm, paramedics were seen preparing a stretcher at the shore.

The incident came on a day when the Parklands were busy with families out enjoying the warm weather. Hundreds gathered to watch as the search continued.

On Sunday, a council spokeswoman said the city, which operates the parklands, were working with emergency services.

“The City is aware of the incident that occurred this afternoon within the swimming enclosure at Paradise Point Parklands,” she said in a statement.

“We are actively co-operating with authorities to understand the cause of the incident.

“The city will provide any assistance it can to emergency services to assist in this matter.”

Big crowds of onlookers. Picture: Kathleen Skene

Emergency services at the scene. Picture: Kathleen Skene