Cyclone Oma Has Claimed A Life On North Stradbroke Island

Reports have emerged that critical care paramedics were called to Cylinder Beach this morning around 10 am, where they attempted to save the life of a man who had drowned.

A rescue helicopter landed nearby off Dickson Way but apparently left without taking a patient.

It’s unconfirmed at this stage if the victim had been surfing or simply taking a dip, but the Brisbane Times reported that the man was confirmed deceased by authorities.

Whispers have been trickling in since the arrival of Cyclone Oma that the area had been doing its thing (wave-wise), making it likely that the man was having a swing at threading the right-hand drainer when he passed.

Today was the first day that Oma showed signs of making a retreat, therefore opening the gates for less experienced surfers to acquire enough confidence to paddle out. This is on the back of the biggest day yet which saw things go XXM at Burleigh and Currumbin Alley.

Stab sends condolences to friends and family of the victim.

Update: The ABC has since reported that a foreign national got into trouble whilst swimming off the beach.