A BRITISH teenager and his dad drowned while visiting the Great Barrier Reef, an inquest heard.
Owen Reed, 17, was caught by a wave while swimming in waist-high water.
AlamyTwo Brit tourists were swept out to sea while swimming at Round Hill Head[/caption]
Dad Robin, 46, raced to his aid but also got swept away.
Search teams pulled the pair from the water but they were declared dead at the scene at Seventeen Seventy, Queensland.
They were on holiday in Australia from Caerphilly, South Wales, when the incident happened on April 13.
The hearing in Newport, Gwent, gave their provisional cause of death as drowning. The inquest was adjourned.
A third man, from Australia, was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries.
Treowen Stars FC have paid tribute to the pair, saying: “Awful, awful news about Robin Reed and his son Owen.
“Robin was a good friend to many at Treowen and will be missed.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences with the family.”
The town of Seventeen Seventy is the closest access point to the reef and was named after the year Captain James Cook arrived in Australia.
AlamyThe town of Seventeen Seventy is the closest access point to the reef and was named after the year Captain James Cook arrived in Australia[/caption]
WNSOwen Reed and his dad Ben, both drowned after being hit by a freak wave while visiting the Great Barrier Reef[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
