Teen ‘lucky’ to survive near drowning in Gold Coast seaway

A teenage boy who was dragged unconscious from Gold Coast waters earlier today has been described as “super lucky” by a senior QAS worker.

A TEENAGER found unconscious and face down in the Gold Coast seaway is “super lucky” to be alive after he was spotted by boaties and dragged to safety.

Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor Will Houghton said the 17-year-old, who he described as a “fit young man”, was swimming with about three friends to Wave Break Island but became distant from the group.

Passer-bys on a boat found the teen unconscious and face down in the water and took him to shore.

A teen survived a near drowning on the Gold Coast Seaway early Wednesday. Photo: Michael De St Pern

“Early reports are that he was swimming across to Wave Break Island with friends,” Mr Houghton said.

“He went unresponsive in the water.

“It was critical that they found him.

“He was found lying face down in the water. No one knows the amount of time he’d been there.

QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Will Houghton. Photo: Kyle Wisniewski

“I think he had drifted from them (his friends). I think once they’d realised what had happened they were on the other side on Wave Break Island.

“He has congested a lot of water. He was taken to Gold Coast University hospital for further assessment, but he’s talking and the moment and regained consciousness.”

Emergency services were called to Seaway Dr about 6.15am Wednesday after being notified by Volunteer Marine Rescue.

The teenager, whose residency is yet to be confirmed, was pulled unconscious from the water and taken to a ramp.

He regained consciousness just after 6.30am and was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

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Mr Houghton said all involved are thankful the incident wasn’t the second drowning on the Gold Coast in two days following a Victorian man drowned in the Broadbeach Waters on Tuesday.

“He’s super lucky. I think he knows he’s fairly lucky,” he said.

“Hopefully this is an example for people out there to stay safe around waterways.

“Swim between the flags, stay with supervision and be safe around the waterways.”

Originally published as Teen ‘lucky’ to survive near drowning in Gold Coast seaway