Surf officials ‘should face criminal charges’

  • Video
  • Image


The search has resumed for a teenage surf life saving competitor missing at Kurrawa beach on the Gold Coast.



surf

Competitors take part in the 2012 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Kurrawa Beach. Picture: Michael Ross
Source: The Courier-Mail


Matthew Barclay

Missing lifesaver Matthew Barclay, 14. Picture: supplied
Source: Supplied





BODY of teen lifesaver Matt Barclay found in surf at Broadbeach, a day after he disappeared in rough waters at the national surf lifesaving titles.


The body was found offshore from Northcliffe Surf Club around 9.30am and was transferred to a water police boat. 

Police and lifesavers rushed to the scene as Matthew’s distraught parents watched from the beach.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for drowned ironman Saxon Bird’s family has called for a royal commission into the running of the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast.

Christopher Branson, QC, made the call after the suspected drowning 15-year-old Barclay yesterday afternoon.

Mr Branson represented the family of Bird at an inquest last year into the death of the 19-year ironman at the 2010 championships at Kurrawa.

He said the likely drowning of another competitor was a ‘”scandal’ and officials should face criminal charges.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.


ride on mower






End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

Mr Bird drowned after being hit by a stray surf ski on March 19, 2010.

And in 1996, Robert Gatenby, 15, a member of Kurrawa’s under-18 boat crew, drowned at the 1996 nationals at the same beach, as Cyclone Beti ravaged the Queensland coast.

Mr Branson said officials had “learned nothing” from Bird’s death or that of Gatenby.

“This (carnival) should not be held here at Kurrawa at all, ever,” Mr Branson told ABC Radio.

The air and sea search for Barclay resumed in earnest this morning.

Helicopters were buzzed overhead at Kurrawa and rubber duckies scoured the shore break along with packs of lifesavers.

The promising youngster was hand-picked for Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Future Champions in 2010, training alongside stars including Elizabeth Pluimers and Kristyl Smith, the website said.

Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Brett Williamson said it is too early to confirm reports the boy was knocked from his board and didn’t surface.

“There are various reports coming in; all that will be collated and reviewed in due course,” he said.

He also defended what the surf lifesaving movement had done to improve competitor safety in recent years.

He said the only finding from the Saxon Bird inquest that had not been implemented was for Surf Life Saving Australia to select a suitable flotation vest for competitors.

“That has been going and underway and it’s just too early to stipulate a particular brand or type.”

Mr Williamson said he was confident the surf lifesaving movement couldn’t have done too much more to keep competitors safe.

Conditions had been closely monitored through the day and a number of events had been modified, postponed or relocated to still-water venues, he said.

The decision not to call off the junior competition would be reviewed in due course.

“We are confident from a surf life saving perspective that all our risk-management systems and decision-making processes were very robust and in place.

“But that, no doubt, will be subject to external reviews.”

Mr Williamson said while the surf was not ideal, the swell was not as large as it was two years ago when Saxon Bird died after an accident in almost the same spot.

“The swell through the day fluctuated between point eight (of a metre) to just over one metre.

“Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with the family, and the broader surf life saving membership,” he said.

Yesterday was the first day of official competition in The Aussies, with final events scheduled on Sunday.

Mr Williamson said the competition had been suspended for the day.

He said a call about whether this year’s championships would resume at all would be made later.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes