‘Missing’ swimmer found alive after frantic hour-long search
UPDATE at 11.45 AM | A MAN missing, feared drowned in rough surf on the Gold Coast has been found alive.
The 25-year-old was reported missing after disappearing in the water at Palm Beach just before 10am on Sunday.
A full-scale search involving the Westpac rescue helicopter, jet skis and rescue boats was launched for the man.
Fortunately, the man was found alive, safe and well further up the beach more than an hour later.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed the swimmer was found just after 11.30am.
He was reportedly ‘disoriented’ and has been assessed by paramedics.
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Meanwhile, lifesavers have closed Surfers Paradise beach due to strong currents and are urging people not to enter the water.
The rough conditions are set to persist into the working week as Cyclone Oma edges closer towards the Coast.
The weather bureau says there is a ‘low risk’ that the category 3 storm will have a direct impact on southeast Queensland.
At this stage, the majority of weather models suggest the system will turn away from the Coast before making landfall.
FIRST | A RESCUE helicopter is helping search for a man who has gone missing in rough surf on the Gold Coast.
It’s understood the swimmer disappeared after entering the water at Palm Beach just before 10am on Sunday.
The man, believed to be 25 years old, was reportedly swimming with mates when he vanished.
Emergency services and surf lifesavers have saturated the beach and launched a large-scale search for the man.
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter is scouring the coastline, while jet skis and boats are also being used.
The Queensland Police Service is also in attendance.
Meanwhile, volunteer surf lifesavers have been forced to close the beach at Surfers Paradise due to strong currents.
A search is underway for a missing swimmer in rough surf at Palm Beach. The Westpac Rescue Chopper is scouring the coastline, a JetSki and IRB are assisting. Police are on scene. @7NewsBrisbane @7NewsGoldCoast pic.twitter.com/mtz3gSVCT0
— Carly Madsen (@Carly_Madsen) February 17, 2019
The Westpac Rescue Chopper is tracking up and down the coast searching – still no sign of the missing swimmer. @7NewsGoldCoast @7NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/XyQMQj03Gq
— Carly Madsen (@Carly_Madsen) February 17, 2019
Emergency services search for missing swimmer at Palm Beach @9NewsGoldCoast @9NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/bM2QZNdoQ1
— NATASHA PRUCHNIEWICZ (@nmp_9) February 17, 2019
