Dad's bid to save son swept away by monster Aussie wave ends in double tragedy

A family holiday ended in heartbreak when a teen was swept far out to sea by a massive rogue wave that killed both him and his father who tried desperately to save him.

Robin Reed was on holiday with his family in Queensland, , on April 13 this year when he and his son Owen were swept out to sea. The 46-year-old was playing with his children at Round Hill Head, a seaside trail in the Seventeen Seventy area, when his son, 17, who was no more than a metre away from him, was caught in the wave's momentum and hauled further out to sea. An inquest has heard both father and son died after Owen desperately tried to bring him back towards the coast.

reports that the inquest at Newport coroners' Court heard Owen and his son, from Blackwood in Carphilly, Wales, were swept out further again, causing them to drown at sea. The two were found in the water after a witness called search and rescue teams, with a post-mortem later concluding that the two died by drowning.

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Owen was a popular football coach in Caerphilly borough, with several local clubs having paid tribute to him and his son following their shock deaths earlier this year.

Pengam, his under 13s club, said in a post on social media that players were "deeply heartbroken" by their losses, remembering Owen as an "integral part of our team".

Pengam posted: “On behalf of Pengam boys and girls and our under-13s Pengam football family we are deeply heartbroken by the sudden loss of Robin and his son Owen.

“Robin was an integral part of our team. More than just a parent, he was a true friend and the undisputed king of bacon rolls. Our football family will never be the same again.”

Representatives for Fleur De Lys, a neighbouring foodball club, sent their "sincere condolences" following the news. They said: "Everyone associated with our club would like to send out our sincere condolences to everyone at Pengam following the loss of Robin and Owen.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to Robin's family and Pengam U13s at this incredibly difficult time.

"Words will never be enough but hopefully the love and support from the wider football community can help you through these troubled times."

Family friend Annmarie Thomas has set up a page to raise money for the father and son's family, which has already raised more than its £7,000 target to "help with unexpected financial worry to take some of the stress from our lovely friend and her family".

Area coroner for Gwent Rose Farmer scheduled full inquests for Robin and Owen for November 12 at 11am.