Bystanders are being praised for their "brilliant job" after saving the life of a teenage boy who was pulled from the Gold Coast Seaway at Main Beach this morning.
The 17-year-old had been swimming with three friends when he was found floating in the water unconscious by members of the public, who carried him ashore and administered CPR.
The teenager was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he was recovering this afternoon.
The incident comes after the drowning deaths of a 21-year-old Victorian man at Broadbeach on Tuesday morning, and a Brisbane man at Surfers Paradise on December 20.
'16 incidents in 16 days'
Queensland Ambulance Service senior operations supervisor William Houghton said the increased number of drownings and near tragedies on the Gold Coast was concerning.
"In the last 16 days we have responded to 16 (incidents) and unfortunately several of those have not been successful outcomes," he said.
"It's a fairly significant number of drownings."
The Gold Coast recorded the highest number of drownings and near-drownings in the state last month, with Mr Houghton saying he suspects the increase is due to more domestic travellers visiting South East Queensland.
"All we know is that we have had an increase," he said.
"Whether it's because people aren't travelling overseas as much, or people are holidaying in South East Queensland … a lot of [the incidents] seem to be from interstate people."
Mr Houghton urged holidaymakers and water-users to swim between the flags and take care in Gold Coast waters.
"If you're going to go swimming, make sure somebody's not drinking, somebody's supervising, and try to avoid alcohol whilst in the surf," he said. "Look after your mates."
