Two men in their mid-30s are being remembered as heroes after they drowned on Teewah Beach performing a selfless act for a young boy.
Richard Catbagan and Denny Jade Caballa attempted to rescue a boy who was swept up in a strong rip at an unpatrolled beach north of Noosa on Saturday afternoon.
A group of bystanders pulled the men from the water in an attempt to save their lives but sadly neither recovered.
The men are being hailed as heroes as the nine-year-old boy was airlifted to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.
The beach was hard to reach for emergency services, where Queensland Ambulance Service had eight crews respond including critical care paramedics and a rescue helicopter.
Surf Life Saving Queensland services, including the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service were also called to assist with the incident.
Sunshine Coast Regional Operations Manager Aaron Purchase said this tragedy followed a concerning number of serious incidents on the Sunshine Coast over the weekend.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the two men,” he said.
“As we roll into school holidays and the Christmas period, this event is a tragic reminder to only ever swim between the red and yellow flags, so that if you do get into trouble, lifesavers and lifeguards are there to assist.
“If you must swim at remote location, stay close to the beach and remain waist-deep.
“However, the safest place to swim remains at a patrolled location between the red and yellow flags.”
Lifeguards will commence roving patrols from Double Island Point to Teewah Campground this Saturday 12 December.
They will rove along the beach daily throughout the school holiday period, educating beachgoers on the dangers of swimming.
