TRAGEDY STRIKES AT BELLS
‘HE WAS DOING WHAT HE LOVED’ Mates pay tribute to surfer who collapsed in the water
MEMBERS of the region’s surfing community have paid tribute to one of their own who died in the water off Bells Beach yesterday.
The 67-year-old man, who has surfed local breaks for the past 30 years, collapsed at Centreside between Bells and Southside yesterday morning but surfers in the water, and paramedics at the scene were unable to resuscitate him. He has yet to be formally identified.
Friend Alan Miles said the surfer was part of a makeshift men’s group that gathered a few times a week at Centreside because it was away from the crowds.
MEMBERS of the region’s surfing community have paid tribute to one of their own who died in waters near Bells Beach yesterday after suffering a suspected heart attack.
The 67-year-old man, who regularly surfed breaks in the region during the past 30 years, collapsed at Centreside between Bells Beach and Southside yesterday morning but surfers in the water, and paramedics at the scene were unable to resuscitate him. He has yet to be formally identified.
Friend Alan Miles said the surfer was part of a makeshift men’s group that gathered a few times a week at Centreside because it was away from the crowds.
“It’s sort of a men’s shed out here, we all talk to each other,” Mr Miles said. “We usually see each other a few times a week.
“We are part of a group that went to the Telo Islands (off Indonesia) on a surfing trip last year for about 10 days.”
Mr Miles said the man was a confident surfer known for his antics in the water, often screaming in anticipation as large waves formed.
“He was doing what he loved. He was a lovely guy in the water.”
News of the man’s death had spread yesterday after surfers and paramedics carried him on a stretcher through the shallows and along rocks from Centreside to Bells Beach after 10am.
“It’s like a little brotherhood around here among surfers. You really feel for his family,” surfer Paul, who had arrived at the Bells Beach carpark from Winkipop, said.
Torquay police Sergeant Brian McKiterick said the man had been a regular visitor to Bells Beach for about 30 years.
“Other surfers saw him and tried to help him from the water, but he wasn’t able to be revived,” Sgt McKiterick said.
“It is believed he indicated to two other surfers that he had heart attack symptoms and a short time later he fell from his board and then they helped him to shore,” Sgt McKiterick said.
“He had previously had a heart attack … he had a history of heart problems.”
Funeral directors took the man’s body from the Bells Beach car park about 12.40pm.
It is the first known death in Torquay’s waters since drownings on consecutive days in November 2016.