Tourists die in Reef dramas

TWO tourists have died in as many days while swimming at popular Reef destinations during holidays in Far North Queensland.

A 70-year-old foreign national was pulled from the water unconscious about 11am on Friday while snorkelling.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said bybloody standers on the scene attempted to resuscitate him.

The spokesman said flight paramedics also attended in the Rescue 510 helicopter in an effort to revive the man, but he died at the scene.

The man was then taken back to the mainland by helicopter.

It is understood he had pre-existing medical conditions.

A police spokeswoman also confirmed a 72-year-old American man died on Saturday, drowning at Agincourt Reef, 65km off the coast of Port Douglas.

It was believed the man had been swimming about 12.30pm.

The spokeswoman said a report would be prepared for the coroner.

A principal governance and performance officer for Public Safety Business Agency confirmed that Rescue 510 attended both emergencies.

She said police were now investigating both events.

A four-year-old girl has been taken to Cairns Base Hospital in a serious condition following a near-drowning on Saturday.

Paramedics were called to Cairns North about 6.07pm on Saturday.

She is in hospital in a stable condition.