Man and child taken to hospital in stable conditions after near drowning at Sunshine Coast beach

In a worrying start to the school holidays a father and child were rescued from the surf and rushed to hospital after a near drowning incident at a Sunshine Coast beach.

Volunteer lifesavers pulled two people out of the water in Maroochydore.

A man, 45, and girl 6, were rescued from the surf and taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after a near drowning incident at Alexandra Parade in Maroochydore at 2.13pm.

Sunshine Coast Lifesaving services co-ordinator Shane Urban said the two were pulled out of the water by volunteer lifesavers.

“It was a rescue, but the Dad was struggling a bit with his young daughter,” he said.

“Because they were in the flags we were able to identify that they were getting in trouble so we did respond with rescue boards.

“They gave them some oxygen therapy and as a preventive precaution it was suggested they make their way to hospital.”

Mr Urban said the father wasn’t initially doing great but improved once he left the beach.

Mr Urban said it was a vital opportunity to remind people to swim between the flags, especially with the school holidays beginning.

“We’re very appreciative of our volunteer lifesavers out at Maroochydore,” he said.

“If we can’t see you, we can’t save you so please stay between the flags and we can respond quickly and make it a good outcome.”

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said on their arrival both were conscious and breathing.

“They were both taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital,” he said.

“They were stable and went for an assessment.”

Originally published as Man and child taken to hospital in stable conditions after near drowning at Sunshine Coast beach