In New South Wales, Australia, an Irish man drowned while attempting to save his daughter who was having trouble in the water.
According to information provided to police, a family with three children was in the shallow water at Seven Mile Beach in Lennox Head on Thursday evening around 6.30 pm when their 11-year-old daughter was swept out to sea on a body board.
The 45-year-old man swam to her but couldn’t get back to land. Additionally swimming out, his wife was able to reach the beach with the girl and call for help.
There were no lifeguards on duty at the time.
Two police officers went into the water after they arrived at the scene to look for the man, but they were unsuccessful. Around 7 o’clock in the evening, surf lifesavers brought the man to shore.
The man was given CPR by New South Wales Ambulance paramedics, but they were unable to save his life; he was declared dead at the scene.
Paramedics attended to the woman and her daughter before allowing them to return home.
According to News South Wales police, the family only recently (18 months) relocated to the area.
Its believed the father is Irish and his family are Australian citizens.
The man’s name has not been released at this time.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been informed of the situation and is offering consular support, according to a spokesperson.
The incident marks the third time a parent has attempted to save a child during the state’s tenth coastal drowning thus far this summer.