Two British tourists have tragically died after they were swept out to sea in Australia.
Authorities said a third person is fighting for their life following the double drowning which happened in Queensland on Sunday. Officials said they are unsure whether the third person jumped in to help the victims.
The horror unfolded at a popular swimming spot known as Round Hill Head at Seventeen Seventy beach. The two victims have been identified as a 46-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and pulled the man and the boy out of the water. Sadly, they were declared dead at the scene.
The rescue helicopter saved another man and transported him to Bundaberg Hospital. The 37-year-old, from Monto, is thought to be in serious condition after sustaining head injuries.
Surf Life Saving Queensland’s regional operations manager for Wide Bay and Capricornia, Darren Everard, said officials are investigating the circumstances.
He said: “We’re not sure whether the third person jumped into the water trying to perform a rescue.”
Seventeen Seventy beach is known to be a hot spot especially in the lead up to Easter. The community has been left devastated following the drowning on Sunday afternoon.
Wayne Mellock, who owns a surf shop nearby, said holidaymakers love the area because it has the “best beaches in the world”.
He told ABC Australia: “We have a very huge amount of international tourists in our town. They love our beaches because we’ve got the best beaches in the world … but unfortunately they don’t realise how quickly things can change in the ocean.”
The owner also issued a warning about the dangers at the rocky coastline. He added: “Around any of our creeks and headlands … especially on a high tide when there’s a big swell, it’s chaos in the water and … sadly, that’s where we have coastal fatalities in Australia.
“I think everyone should just take that little bit of time when they go on holidays, and it doesn’t matter where you are around Australia, seek local knowledge … but you also need to go to where those flags are.”
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