Two British tourists tragically drowned off the coast of Seventeen Seventy, a well-known tourist destination situated at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, on Sunday. The victims, a 17-year-old boy and a 46-year-old man, were swimming at a beach that lacked lifeguard supervision when they were swept away by the sea.
Emergency responders, including a police rescue helicopter, located the pair but declared them dead at the scene. In a related incident, an Australian man was also reported in life-threatening condition after being drawn out to sea. He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital, suffering from serious head injuries.
Details of the incident
While authorities confirmed that the deceased were from the UK, their identities have not yet been disclosed. The emergency rescue service, CapRescue, commented on the challenging nature of the mission, stating on social media that the fatalities occurred “despite the best efforts of all involved.”
The Australian man, who is in critical condition, hails from Monto, a town situated approximately 150 kilometers inland from Seventeen Seventy. It remains unclear whether he entered the water in an attempt to rescue the drowning tourists, as mentioned by Darren Everard from Surf Life Saving Queensland in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
Beach safety concerns
Officials indicate that there is only one beach under lifeguard supervision within a 50-kilometer radius of Seventeen Seventy. The police have classified the drownings as non-suspicious and are set to compile a report for the coroner’s review.
According to Royal Life Saving Australia, Australia recorded 107 drowning incidents last year, with 25% of the victims being born overseas. Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Everard elaborated on the risks associated with the coastal waters, particularly around creeks and headlands at high tide, which can create chaotic conditions. He urged visitors to “seek local knowledge” and swim in designated safe areas, marked by flags.