Woman Dies From Cardiac Arrest Snorkelling In The Whistundays

A woman has died after developing chest pain and difficulty breathing during a snorkelling trip in Whitsunday waters.

The 53-year-old woman is understood to have been snorkelling near Hook Island with a commercial tour operator from Airlie Beach when she suffered a cardiac arrest.

She returned to the commercial tour vessel which then immediately re-routed to Coral Sea Marina where Queensland Ambulance paramedics and police met them.

It is understood her condition worsened once onboard and crew attempted to revive her through first aid.

She sadly passed during transit before the vessel arrived at the Marina at 12.30pm.

Whitsunday Ambulance Station Officer In Charge Steve Thurtell said the woman’s heart had stopped while she was onboard the vessel.

“The crew determined she had stopped breathing and the boat immediately high tailed it to Airlie Beach,” Mr Thurtell said.

“While we have great med-evac plans in place and it was good the tourism operators could perform CPR, unfortunately the distance was working against them.”

Mr Thurtell said a team of four paramedics took over at the scene once the vessel arrived.

“I think the team onboard the tour operator performed above and beyond expectations and did well on all accounts,” he said

“But unfortunately, despite all treatments, she passed away.”

It is understood the woman was on holiday with her partner and friends, who were also onboard the vessel.

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