A 35-year-old Irish man drowned at Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays, marking the third drowning death on Australia’s east coast over two days.
SYDNEY: A 35-year-old Irish tourist has drowned off the coast of Australia’s iconic Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands.
The man was found dead in the water after going for a swim on New Year’s Eve, according to local media reports.
His death is the third reported drowning on Australia’s eastern coast between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
On Wednesday, a man died after a boat capsized off Sydney’s Northern Beaches. A 14-year-old boy believed to have been onboard remains missing.
Early on Thursday, a 25-year-old woman drowned off Sydney’s Maroubra Beach after being swept into the ocean.
A man in his 20s is also believed missing after going for a swim at Sydney’s Coogee Beach on Thursday morning.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is the deadliest period for drownings in Australia. Royal Life Saving data shows an average of 15 people drown annually during this time.
