A father and son from Caerphilly, South Wales, drowned in Australia after the sea conditions changed suddenly during a day trip, an inquest has heard. Robin Reed, 46, and his 17-year-old son Owen died at Round Hill Head, Seventeen Seventy, in Queensland on April 13.
The family were on holiday visiting friends, the Evans family, who had wanted to show them the beach. Michael Evans, a friend, said the water had been 'a little choppy but nothing dangerous' before 'huge waves' started coming in. He recalled: 'The water felt like a bus hitting me, it was rough and picking me up.'
Shayane Reed, the mother, said she saw Owen 'drift out in a rip' and Robin went into the sea to help him. Michael Evans described how the situation 'turned in an instant' and Owen was 'fighting to keep his head above the water'. Two tourists pulled Michael from the water after he was smashed against rocks.
Emergency services, including a retrieval helicopter, searched for the pair. Owen was found washed up on the beach at 4pm and was pronounced dead at 4.15pm. Robin was pulled from the sea at 4.40pm but was already deceased, with his death recorded at 4.45pm. Forensic pathologist Dr Jack Garland said both deaths were consistent with drowning.
Coroner Rose Farmer noted the water had appeared calm 'but the conditions took a turn for the worse'. She recorded that Robin died trying to rescue his son, and Owen died when sea conditions worsened and he was swept out to sea.
