Police divers locate body of man missing after swim at Killarney Glen in the Gold Coast Hinterland

Police divers found the body of missing 19-year-old man at Killarney Glen overnight. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

POLICE divers found the body of missing 19-year-old man at Killarney Glen a few hours after beginning their search overnight.

After arriving at the scene of the tragedy at about 4.30pm divers managed to locate the man’s body at about 7pm according to a police spokeswoman.

A report will now be prepared for the coroner.

Emergency crews were first called to the heart-shaped waterhole in the Gold Coast Hinterland at 11am yesterday after the 19-year-old failed to surface.

The man, believed to be an Australian resident, got into trouble while navigating a narrow channel in the Beechmont natural pool. More than 100 people were relaxing and swimming at Killarney Glen when a woman, believed to be the man’s girlfriend, raised the alarm.

Killarney Glen is a popular swimming spot for the adventurous only. It takes a 2.5km trek through bush and rainforest. Picture: Scott Fletcher

About six people frantically started diving under the water searching for the man.

But witnesses said the search efforts were hindered by the green murky water and the caves and rock crevices, which are up to 5m deep.

Katelyn Nevowski, 17, speaks to the media at the entrance of Killarney Glen waterhole where a man is missing after going for a swim in the water. Photo: Regi Varghese

Paramedics and swift water rescue teams descended on the water hole after making the 30-minute trek.

Despite conflicting accounts witness Johnre Blackie said the man had not jumped into the water.

“They were in the water swimming, that’s what the Asian lady stated, there wasn’t any jumping into the pool,” Mr Blackie said.

“It was fine down there, it’s just a deep waterhole with a little stream running into it — nothing really dangerous I suppose.

Australian defence personal and MSS security crew guard the entrance of Killarney Glen waterhole where a man is reported to be missing at Killarney Glen waterhole, Gold Coast. Photo: Regi Varghese

“It’s a bit of a hike to get down there — it’s a beautiful place.”

The missing man’s friends remained in the area with emergency services for hours after he disappeared.

Police Inspector Karen Shaw said the man was swimming in a narrow section of the pool. “It is a tragedy all around,” Insp Shaw said.

Inspector Karen Shaw speaks to the media at the entrance to Killarney Glen. Photo: Regi Varghese

“We ask anyone who comes out here to know their limitations and do not go outside those limitations.”

The Federal Government owns the land surrounding the waterhole which has previously sparked problems with traffic management and visitors trespassing on to adjacent Canungra Military Area.

Emergency services arrive at Killarney Glen. Photo: Regi Varghese

An army officer was at the scene and was briefed by police officers yesterday.

A security worker employed by the army barracks closed the area off to the public after the incident.

MSS Security staff Sean Degelder locks the gate to Killarney Glen. Photo: Regi Varghese

Scenic Rim area councillor Virginia West said it was a tragedy and “conversations” about how to manage the area had been ongoing since the area’s explosion in popularity.

Multiple stakeholders and a lack of funding have made management an issue.

“There has been continuing conversations about what to do with the land,” Cr West said.