Daughter witnesses dad drown while swimming between flags at Mooloolaba Beach

A man has drowned at one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular beaches after he was pulled from the water and unable to be revived – with his daughter the last to see him dive under the wave which took his life.

A man has drowned at Mooloolaba Beach. Picture: Mark Furler

A man has drowned at one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular beaches.

Emergency services were called to the Mooloolaba Esplanade just after 12.30pm after reports of a man who had been pulled from the water unresponsive.

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Ambulance Service said the man was pulled from the water in a critical condition. 

They did not transport the man. 

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Police Service confirmed a the man was in his 60s.

Police are preparing a report for the coroner.

Sunshine Coast chief lifeguard Anthony King confirmed the man was swimming between the flags.

“His daughter saw him dive under a wave and then he never resurfaced,” Mr King said.

“At this stage it’s looking like a suspected medical incident or spinal injury.”

Sunshine Coast Lifesaving services co-ordinator Shane Urban said lifeguards responded from multiple places and there were “assets deployed” immediately including the Westpac helicopter service.

Mr Urban said the man was found a little further north of the Mooloolaba flags.

“We rallied quickly to respond as best possible, and it’s very sad for the family,” he said.

He said those who attended were offered support.

“And we have resources to back up our lifeguards to ensure there was observation while the lifeguards were doing their work and the debrief afterwards,” Mr Urban said.

“We feel for the family and everyone involved, it’s a sad and tragic event.

“This is a time of sadness and acknowledgment to those who did their absolute best to save the person.”

Originally published as Daughter witnesses dad drown while swimming between flags at Mooloolaba Beach