Body of ‘hero’ doctor who made cancer breakthrough found after tragic drowning

The remarkable breakthrough research accomplishments of a Queensland doctor who drowned trying to save a stranger have been revealed in the wake of his death.

The hero doctor who drowned after trying to rescue another swimmer was a cancer researcher who helped discover a significant breakthrough.

Dr Luqman Jubair, 35, was swept out to sea off Miami, on the Gold Coast, on Thursday night, prompting a mammoth air, land and sea search.

Police said Dr Jubair had been standing in waist deep water when he spotted another swimmer and decided to help.

Dr Luqman Jubair sadly drowned near the Gold Coast.

He also signalled to three other beachgoers to aid in his effort.

It was later revealed the doctor had been part of a Griffith University research team that made a world-first break breakthrough to treat cervical cancer in 2019.

The treatment involved using ‘stealth’ nanoparticles in mice with cervical cancer.

Dr Jubair had been a PhD candidate at Griffith University on the Gold Coast since 2015 and previously a research assistant at Gold Coast University Hospital.

He also graduated with a masters degree in medical research from Griffith University in 2015.

These accomplishments came after he gained a medical degree from Baghdad’s Al-Nahrain University in 2010.

The distressed swimmer was eventually saved by the group but Dr Jubair disappeared under water prompting frantic rescue efforts.

Dr. Luqman Jubair and Professor Nigel McMillan during their research. Photo: Griffith University.

The land, air and sea search was suspended on Thursday night before a restart on Friday sunrise.

Dr Jubair’s body was found in water near Mermaid Beach on Saturday morning by members of the public.

Gold Coast police acting chief superintendent Rhys Wildman said the drowning was an “absolute tragedy”.

“It’s a tragic tale where a member of the public has attempted to do the right thing and stepped in to save the life of another person and unfortunately has found themself in some difficulty,” he said.

People watching on as police search for a missing man off Miami Beach. Picture: Supplied

Dr Jubair's research partner Professor Nigel McMillan paid tribute to his friend’s brilliance after his death.

“Luqman was a PhD student in the Mcmillan lab from 2016-19 and was the first person in the world to show that CRISPR could be used to cure cancer,” Professor McMillan wrote on Facebook.

“He was a smart, funny, dedicated, incredibly hard working and talented student whose desire was to move into genetic medicine.

“He returned to his medical career after his PhD studies and was working towards this goal. His act was singularly brave and fitting given his life’s work was dedicated to helping others.

“He will be missed and I think the world has lost someone had not only already made a difference, but for whom I feel even bigger things were to come. Rest In Peace Luqman.”

Gold Coast locals were also quick to pay tribute to Dr Jubair on social media in the wake of this death.

“This is heartbreaking. He died a hero trying to help someone," wrote one woman.

“Australia and the Medical Profession have lost a man who would’ve contributed so, so much,” added another.

Ambulances at Miami Beach after a man goes missing in the surf. Picture: Supplied

It was previously reported that a rock fisherman was the one that got into trouble.

However, police later said the fisherman alerted others to a swimmer he witnessed experiencing difficulty.

“That fisherman actually dropped his fishing equipment and waved for assistance to the shore,” Mr Wildman said.

“At that stage a number of persons on the shore entered the water to provide assistance.”

“The male fisherman, together with two other males, recovered the initial person who was in some difficulty and brought them back to the shore.

“But our missing person was unfortunately swept further away from the shoreline out into the ocean itself.”

Dr Jubair’s backpack was earlier recovered from the beach.