Island’s deadly secret Lifesavers warn of danger for inexperienced swimmers

2005-2015 Drownings Surfers Paradise...................... 8 Green Island............................ 7 Kurrawa, Gold Coast............... 3 Northcliffe, Gold Coast........... 3 Alexandria Bay, Noosa............ 2 2014/15 Drownings Green Island............................ 2 Surfers Paradise...................... 2 Fishermans Beach, Emu Park.. 1 Dilli Village, Fraser Island......... 1 Sunshine Beach, Noosa........... 1 Yaroomba Beach, Sunshine Coast........................................ 1 Marcoola Beach, Sunshine Coast........................................ 1 Nudey Beach, Fitzroy Island.... 1 THE sparkling waters of Green Island are hiding a deadly secret after a report rated its beach among the most dangerous in Queensland.

Two people, both Chinese tourists, have drowned off the tourist island within the last 12 months, the same number who have died while swimming at Surfers Paradise. Surf Life Saving Queensland regional manager Col Sparkes (left) said life guards had also performed more than 200 rescues at beaches between Mission Beach and Port Douglas, but he suspected a majority of those would be at Green Island.

“Depending on the day, there could be three or four (rescues) a day,” he said.

A third full-time lifeguard was stationed at the island six months ago in response to drowning figures.

A report released today by Surf Life Saving Queensland shows that in the past 10 years, seven people have drowned off the island, one fewer than Surfers.

Mr Sparkes said it was predominantly tourists getting into trouble and lifeguards were trained to identify people who may be poor swimmers before they even entered the water.

He said an extra three lifeguards were used during Chinese New Year celebrations to handle the huge influx of visitors.

A 68-year-old male Chinese tourist was found floating about 400m offshore while snorkelling in February and despite an hour of CPR could not be revived.

In August last year a 42year-old man, also from China, was pulled from the water near the jetty, which is off the island’s unpatrolled beach.

“We try to encourage people to wear personal flotation devices, especially some of these elderly tourists, if they haven’t been doing a lot of swimming,” he said.

“When you put a snorkel in your mouth and flippers on your feet it puts a lot more stress on the body, especially the heart.

“When they’re swimming with the current it’s all OK, but then they can lift they’re head and find they’re 100 metres from shore and have to swim back against the current.

“This is the holiday of a lifetime for them and it’s very sad. The unfortunate part is some of them don’t go home.”

A third Far North drowning took place at Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island during the past 12 months, while a total of 78 people drowned in coastal waters around Queensland.