Father’s Heroic Attempt to Save Son Ends in Tragedy off Australian Coast
A grieving inquest has heard how a father died trying to rescue his teenage son after both were swept out to sea during a family holiday in Australia.
A family holiday turned tragic when Robin Reed, 46, and his 17-year-old son Owen, from Blackwood in Caerphilly county, drowned off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The incident occurred on 13 April at Round Hill Head in Seventeen Seventy, a well-known tourist spot near the southern edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
During the opening of the inquest in Newport, coroner Rose Farmer revealed that Mr Reed had been standing in water no deeper than his waist when his son was suddenly pulled out to sea by a powerful and unexpected wave. In a desperate attempt to save him, Mr Reed dove into the surf but was also swept away.
Emergency services recovered both father and son from the water, but tragically, they were pronounced dead at the scene. Post-mortem examinations confirmed that both had drowned.
The coroner noted that investigations into the incident were ongoing, and the inquest would resume with a full hearing scheduled for 12 November.
Robin Reed was remembered as a beloved figure in his community, known for his kindness and dedication. Tributes poured in from local organisations, including Pengam Boys and Girls Club and his local football team, where he volunteered and was admired as a “good friend to many.”
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