> At a Glance
> – A man in his 30s remains in critical condition after a near-drowning Friday afternoon
> – Incident happened at 2 p.m. in WhiteWater World’s Cave of Waves on January 2
> – Paramedics treated him for a “post-immersion incident” before hospital transfer
> – Why it matters: Raises safety questions at a major Gold Coast attraction known for 5-foot swells
A routine summer afternoon at one of Australia’s busiest water parks turned into a life-threatening emergency when a guest lost consciousness in the giant wave pool.
The Incident
The man, aged in his 30s, was in the 160-plus-foot Cave of Waves when he got into distress. Lifeguards hauled him from the water and began first aid while emergency crews raced to the scene.
Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics stabilised the patient inside the park before transporting him to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remains in critical care.
Attraction Details
- Almost 5-foot ocean-like swells run all day
- Pool sits inside WhiteWater World, an adjunct to Dreamworld
- Park opened in 2006 and welcomes thousands of visitors daily
Operator Response
Dreamworld, which owns the water park, praised its staff for acting fast.
> “Our highly trained lifeguards responded immediately, and Queensland Ambulance Service attended the scene promptly.”
The company added:
> “The safety and well-being of our guests and team members is our highest priority, and we are assisting emergency services as required.”
Officials have not revealed how long the man was underwater or what led to the near-drowning.
Key Takeaways
- A man in his 30s is fighting for life after the Friday scare
- Lifeguards and paramedics intervened within minutes
- Dreamworld says it is cooperating fully with investigators
- The Cave of Waves remains open while authorities review the incident
The investigation is ongoing and the man’s family has asked for privacy as medical teams continue treatment.
