Brit dad drowns alongside son, 17, while swimming in Great Barrier Reef tragedy

Two British tourists who drowned while swimming at a beach near the Great Barrier Reef have been named as Robin and Owen Reed.

Robin, 46, and his son Owen, 17, from Caerphilly County in South Wales, entered the water without lifeguards in the town of Seventeen Seventy in Queensland, , on Sunday, April 13.

They were recovered from the water by a police helicopter and a third man, from Australia, was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries.

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The Coroner’s Court of Queensland said the two deaths had been reported to the court and coronial investigations are in their initial stages.

"The deaths Mr Robin Reed and his son, Owen have been reported to the Coroners Court of Queensland," a spokeswoman said.

"As the coronial investigations into the deaths are in initial stages, no further information can be released at this time."

In a tribute to the father and son on , Treowen Stars FC, a football club based in the Newbridge area of Caerphilly, said: “Awful, awful news about Robin Reed and his son Owen.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences with Robin and Owen’s family and friends. Robin was a good friend to many at Treowen and will be missed. Rest in peace both.”