Pictured: Hero Irish father, 45, who drowned while trying to save his daughter when her bodyboard was swept out to sea on Australian beach
- The heroic father has been named as Paul Doran from County Kildare in Ireland
- He moved to Australia just a few months ago with his wife and three children
The Irishman who drowned in a heroic attempt to rescue his daughter from the sea in Australia has been named as Paul Doran.
Mr Doran, 45, was from Country Kildare and had moved with his wife Simonne and their three children to Australia just a few months ago.
Before moving to the other side of the world, Mr Doran had worked in his family’s construction business near his hometown of Ballymore Eustace, around 23miles (37km) from Dublin.
Mr Doran died on Wednesday night after he rushed into the waves at Lennox Head on the northern coast of New South Wales after his daughter Lyra was swept out to sea on a body board.
Paul Doran and his wife Simonne moved to Australia with their three children just a few months ago
The heroic father managed to swim out to reach her but was unable to bring her back to shore. It is understood that he managed to grab onto his daughter’s body board but lost his grip after being caught in a riptide.
Mr Doran’s wife Simonne then swam out to the 11-year-old girl and the two were able to scramble back to the beach where they alerted the authorities.
Two police officers, who were first on the scene, entered the surf in an attempt to find the man but were unsuccessful.
Surf lifesavers then arrived and retrieved the man’s body from the sea at around 7pm.
NSW Ambulance paramedics initiated CPR but were unable to revive him and he died at the scene.
Paul and Simonne Doran were both crossfit enthusiasts, and lived with their children Vann, Lyra, and Shay in Lennox Head on the New South Wales coast.
Officers from Richmond Police District alerted the Irish Consulate of Mr Doran’s death, who in turn informed his family back in Ireland.
A police statement said: ‘A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.’
The tragedy occurred at Seven Mile Beach (pictured), New South Wales, Australia, at about 6.30pm on Wednesday night
Simonne Doran posted a picture of her and her husband on social media, along with a photo of the family together.
One user commented: ‘beyond sad to hear of Paul’s passing… he was such a wonderful soul.’
Police and Surf Lifesaving NSW issued a plea to beachgoers to remain cautious in the sea during Australia’s summer months.
The director of Surf Lifesaving NSW Joel Wiseman said that there had been a significant increase in water rescues in recent months.
He attributed the increase to children missing swimming lessons throughout the pandemic.
Mr Wiseman told Sky News Australia: ‘Sadly, we’re playing catch up with trying to increase drowning prevention and strategies across the nation at the moment.’
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