In a terrifying start to the school holidays, a Chinese student was pulled from the ocean unconscious at a well-known beach on the Gold Coast and is now battling for his life.
At noon on Sunday, emergency services were sent to Surfers Paradise Beach when lifeguards dragged a young guy in trouble in the surf while he was swimming with companions to shore.
His distraught companions and several stunned beachgoers watched as paramedics performed CPR on the sand for over an hour close to the intersection of Esplanade and Trickett Streets.
The Chinese national was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.
The student from Melbourne was holidaying on the Gold Coast.
Onlookers could be seen comforting the man’s distraught companions.
Five crews from Queensland Ambulance, including the high acuity response unit and critical care paramedics, were sent to the incident.
The event left paramedics and lifeguards uneasy.
Lifeguard Luke Ingwersen told Nine News that when incidents like this occur, “it does take a toll and it does hurt.”
Lifeguards in Queensland have urgently pleaded with beachgoers following the near-drowning as the summer break begins.
‘This is a timely reminder for everyone to swim between the flags,’ Mr Ingwersen warned.
‘It’s a beautiful day and the water looks great but you need to be in between the flags.’
‘Let’s have a great day and a safe day.’
The latest near- drowning comes a month after Lizzie Kerry’s lifeless body was pulled from the water near the Esplanade in the early hours of May 21.
The 32-year-old had been visiting from NSW who also had ties to Melbourne and New Zealand.
