The man lost his life swimming in the sea close to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays Islands, where the Irishman died on New Year’s Eve.(Image: Getty Images)
An Irish backpacker has drowned while swimming off a popular beach in Australia.
The male victim, who was aged 35, lost his life early on New Year’s Eve.
He died while swimming off Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Islands in Queensland in the north east of the country, police said. It is near the Great Barrier Reef.
He was found unresponsive in water at around 11am.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is aware of the incident.
It said in a statement: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the incident and stands ready to provide consular assistance.”
The man was one of three people to drown in Australia in a 24 hour period.
The two other victims died on New Year’s Day.
In New South Wales, a 25 year old died when she was swept out to sea near Sydney.
And a 45-year-old woman died at Dunbogan Beach later that day.
That beach is also in New South Wales and is some 260kms north of Sydney.
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