A father and son from Caerphilly, South Wales, have died in a drowning incident while on a family holiday in Australia, an inquest has heard. Robin Reed, 46, and his 17-year-old son Owen lost their lives at Round Hill Head in Seventeen Seventy, Queensland, on April 13.
Friend Michael Evans, who was with the family, told Gwent Coroners' Court that the sea had initially appeared “a little choppy but nothing dangerous”. However, conditions changed suddenly, with huge waves sweeping in. Mr Evans said the water felt like a bus hitting him as he tried to swim towards Owen, but wave after wave prevented him from moving.
Shayane Reed, Robin’s wife, said she saw Owen being swept out by a rip current. Robin went into the water to rescue his son. Despite efforts from emergency services, including a retrieval helicopter, Owen was found washed up on the beach at 4pm and pronounced dead at 4.15pm. Robin was recovered from the sea at 4.40pm and declared dead at 4.45pm.
Forensic pathologist Dr Jack Garland stated that both deaths were consistent with drowning. Coroner Rose Farmer recorded that Robin died from the effects of drowning while trying to rescue his son, and Owen died from drowning when sea conditions worsened.
The inquest heard that the families had been on a day trip to show the Reeds the beach. Michael Evans said he is normally protective of his children and would not have entered the water if there had been any apparent danger.
