Dad and son who drowned near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef named

The two British tourists who drowned off the coast of a popular tourist town at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef have been named.

Robin Reed, 46, and his son Owen, 17, who were from Caerphilly county in south Wales, were swept out to sea on 13 April while swimming at a beach without lifeguards in Seventeen Seventy, Queensland.

The pair were declared dead at the scene after being pulled from the water by a police rescue helicopter.

Treowen Stars FC, which is based near Newbridge in Caerphilly, posted a tribute to the pair on Facebook and said: “Robin was a good friend to many at Treowen and will be missed”.

The statement said: “Awful, awful news about Robin Reed and his son Owen.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences with Robin and Owen’s family and friends. “Rest in peace both.”

Seventeen Seventy was named after the year Capt James Cook arrived in Australia.

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

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