Man who died after drowning off Qld’s North Stradbroke Island identified as international student Christo Mathew

A man who was pulled unconscious from the surf off a popular tourist destination has died surrounded by his family in hospital.

A man pulled unconscious from the waters of Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island has died in hospital, with his devastated family now seeking to return his body to India.

23-year-old Christo Mathew has been revealed as the victim of a horrific drowning near the popular tourist destination earlier this month.

Mr Mathew, an Indian student at University of Queensland, was swimming at Frenchman’s Beach at about 2.40pm on October 1 when he began to struggle in the water.

Two witnesses swam out in an attempt to rescue Mr Mathew but were unsuccessful.

The man was swimming outside the flags at North Stradbroke Island’s Frenchman’s Beach on October 1. Picture: Supplied / Channel 7

All three swimmers were pulled back to shore by Surf Life Saving Queensland volunteers though Mr Mathew was already unconscious and face down in the water.

CPR was performed on Mr Mathew and he was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition, while one of the other swimmers was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition.

On Tuesday a statement released by the Mar Thoma Church Brisbane revealed that Mr Mathew died in hospital on October 8.

His father and uncle were beside him when his life support was turned off at about 4.20pm.

The organisation is now raising funds to have the 23-year-old’s remains repatriated to his home country.

Mr Mathew’s father and uncle were by his side when his life support was turned off on October 8. Picture: GoFundMe

The church has since organised a GoFundMe for Mr Mathew’s family to return his body home.

“In this difficult time, we need to support the family of Christo Mathew, and this is what prompted us to organise this fundraiser to meet the repatriation expenses to take the mortal remains to Kerala, where he would be laid to rest in the family tomb,” the church said.

“Any donations, no matter how small or large, will be greatly appreciated, and the funds raised will be used only for repatriation.