Former Brisbane Roar chief Mark Kingsman drowns in jetski mishap

The Australian soccer community is mourning the death of former Brisbane Roar managing director Mark Kingsman.

Former Brisbane Roar boss Mark Kingsman and his daughter in 2017. Photo: Twitter

The Australian soccer community is mourning the death of former Brisbane Roar managing director Mark Kingsman who drowned after falling from his jet ski on Wednesday.

Mr Kingsman, 54, had been with a group of friends, reportedly including former Socceroos Craig Moore and Danny Tiatto, when he fell from the jet ski while riding off the eastern side of South Stradbroke Island near the Gold Coast about 8am.

“Vale Mark Kingsman. Brisbane Roar Football Club would like to pass on our sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of our former Managing Director, who has passed away,” Brisbane Roar said in a statement posted to social media this afternoon.

Perth Glory CEO Tony Pignata said he was “very saddened and shocked” by the news.

“We shared many times together,” Mr Pignata wrote on Twitter.

“Thoughts are (with) his family.”

Police on Wednesday described the incident as a “tragic set of circumstances” and said there was nothing his traumatised mates could have done to save him.

Police are investigating whether a medical episode contributed to his death.

Senior Sergeant Jay Notaro from the Gold Coast Water Police said police believed Mr Kingsman fell from his jet ski when he was hit by white water and was still conscious when friends noticed him struggling in the water.

They managed to pull him to shore before he lost consciousness and performed CPR for more than half an hour as a rescue helicopter was sent to the island.

“This is just a tragic set of circumstances,” Sergeant Notaro said.

“I don’t think he was doing anything wrong at all and so far I can’t see anything that would have saved this man’s life.”

Sergeant Notaro said his friends were “traumatised”.

Mr Kingsman was the fourth person to drown in Queensland waters in three days.