Woman dead in New Year’s Day drowning on Wavebreak Island

A woman has died in a tragic New Year’s Day drowning at a popular Gold Coast swimming spot.

A woman has drowned at Wave Break Island off Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jerad Williams

A woman in her sixties has died in a tragic New Year’s Day drowning at a popular Gold Coast swimming spot.

Emergency services were called to Wave Break Island off Biggera Waters just after 10am on Wednesday morning.

The woman had got into trouble while snorkelling. It is understood she was with family members at the time.

A spokesperson for Queensland Ambulance Service said the woman was assessed and treated at the scene in a life-threatening condition.

A spokesperson for the Queensland Police Service confirmed the woman was pulled from the water unresponsive.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Labrador resident Bianca Redon said she had been at the beach all morning and had no idea what had unfolded just hundreds of metres away from where her family was swimming.

“I did see what I thought was the police boat with the flashing lights go past,” Mrs Redon said.

“I didn’t think much of it, just that they might have been after another boat or something. I feel a bit sick now knowing what they were going to.

“How horrible for that woman’s family and on New Year’s Day.”

A number of large vessels could be seen docked on Wave Break Island directly opposite Biggera Waters.

Originally published as Woman dead in New Year’s Day drowning on Wavebreak Island