Holiday tragedy as mum, 34, dies while swimming with daughter
A woman on a family holiday on the Sunshine Coast has drowned during an early morning swim with her daughter.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Yahoo News Australia the woman, 34, from Toowoomba, died near the Jubilee Esplanade at Coolum Beach on Monday about 7.15am.
Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Coolum Police Sergeant Peter Blake told Yahoo News Australia the woman and her daughter were swimming at First Bay “not long after dawn”.
“It’s an unpatrolled beach,” Sgt Blake said.
“The whole family were there – mum, dad, sister and daughter.”
Sgt Blake said the woman’s daughter is 11 years old.
Coolum Police Sergeant Ben Cox told the ABC paramedics worked on her for half an hour but the woman couldn’t be saved.
"Her sister was standing on rocks nearby but hadn't realised that she'd been dragged out to sea,” Sgt Cox told the ABC.
Surf Life Saving Queensland told Yahoo News Australia an off-duty lifesaver tried to save the woman and was assisted by lifeguards patrolling a nearby beach.
“SLSQ extends their thoughts and sympathies to the victim’s loved ones,” it said in a statement.
“SLSQ will work with relevant authorities including the Queensland Police Service, Queensland ambulance Service, and the Queensland Coroner.
“SLSQ reminds all swimmers to only swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled locations.”
The tragedy comes on the first day of Queensland’s school holidays.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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