Two fathers who drowned while trying to save their children from rough surf at a remote beach at the Sunshine Coast have been hailed as heroes.
A family road trip to a popular camping spot ended tragically when Denny Jade Caballa and Richard Catbagan ran into dangerous surf to rescue their children at Teewah Beach on Noosa’s North Shore.
Frantic family members waved to Brock and Alana Harris who were driving past, who quickly rushed to help.
“I saw a man in front of me in the distance but I kind of just lost him in the waves,” Brock told 7NEWS as he fought back tears.
With the help of bystanders, Brock managed to pull the two men and a nine-year-old boy from the water.
Off-duty nurses, doctors and a surf lifesaver tried to revive the men and young boy on the unpatrolled beach.
“He was just very scared and distraught,” Brock said of the boy who was taken to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and has since been released.
In a tribute online, Richard’s wife said: “I love you so much … goodbye … our hero”.
Surf Life Saving Queensland will work with authorities to prepare a report for the coroner.
This article originally appeared on Over60.