Tragic story behind Christmas Day drowning victims’ final photo at Squeaky Beach, Wilsons Prom

One moment, two best mates smiled happily for a Christmas Day beach photo. Minutes later, they were tragically swept away in treacherous waters at Wilsons Prom.

The last photo of best mates Ashu Duggal and Anupam Chhabra before the Christmas Day beach tragedy

Two best friends smiled happily for a Christmas Day photo at the beach unaware that just moments later they would be swept away in treacherous waters at Wilsons Prom.

Indian-born best mates Anupam Chhabra and Ashu Duggal, both aged 26, were celebrating Christmas on Friday at the popular Squeaky Beach, 220km southeast of Melbourne, when they went for a swim and sadly got into trouble about 3.40pm.

Mr Chhabra’s lifeless body was dragged to the sand by a member of the public, who unsuccessfully attempted to keep him alive by performing CPR until paramedics arrived.

Tragically he died in front of his brother who was with him at the time.

Mr Duggal’s body was recovered on Saturday about 4pm by police search and rescue crews who spent more than 24 hours scouring the region.

Family and close friends told the Sunday Herald Sun they were devastated.

“You could never imagine this,” close friend Sahil Gulati said.

Ashu Duggal (left) and Anupam Chhabra were best friends since primary school and lived in Melbourne

“We grew up in India and we came to Australia in our early 20s to make a better future, and for a better life – but all of a sudden this tragedy happens.

“It was their first time at the beach, they were looking for a Christmas Day outing.

“Anupam was planning for his future, settling down and getting married.”

Mr Duggal’s sister Anu said her brother had taken professional swimming lessons as an adult in Australia.

“He loved the water,” Anu Duggal said.

“He wanted to be confident at the beach. He took lessons but tragedy happened. Somehow they got caught, it was bad timing.

“If a lifeguard would have been there at the time, he would’ve survived. At a beach like this, with a crowd, you need lifeguards.

“People did their best, but it wasn’t enough.”

She added her mother was back in India without family and border closures would exacerbate her immense grief.

Family and close friends walk Squeaky Beach on Boxing Day

The pair became friends in primary school and came to Melbourne in their early 20s, settling down in the northern suburbs, most recently in Thornbury.

Mr Chhabra was a professional chef who worked at Rod Laver arena, while Mr Duggal had recently finished his accounting studies, working as a factory hand to make ends meet.

Both families back in Mohali in India’s Punjab region were now considering mercy dashes to Australia to recoup the bodies of their children.

Holiday-maker Andrew Keay said he had been visiting Wilsons Prom for 40 years and knew how dangerous Squeaky beach could be.

“It’s pretty sad,” he said.

“I couldn’t imagine what they are going through. It is a treacherous beach.”