World News – AU – Body of midnight swimmer found in river near Gympie

The body of a young man who disappeared overnight during a midnight swim in the Mary River south of Gympie was found just 80 meters from where he first disappeared.

Police divers joined the frantic search for the 20-year-old who was about to swim across waist-deep water in the river on Traveston Crossing Road shortly after midnight when he went under and never reappeared.

Acting Sergeant Bill Greer of the Imbil Police Station said the man was camping with two friends in council land when he took a bath shortly after his New Year greeting.

Police said other campers used torches to light the water they were wading in, but turned around briefly before realizing he was gone.

« The conditions are not great – there was some fresh [water] in the river, » he said.

SES, fast water rescuers, and a helicopter were called in shortly after midnight to assist in the search, but it was hampered by darkness and resumed at first light.

One camper, Callum Rock, said he heard police officers and other people walking around looking for the man.

« I didn’t hear much [initially], but it looks like he swam down on the river, » he said.

« We camped right by the river but didn’t hear anything [when he went in] but heard a lot of people walking around looking for him. « 

The man’s family arrived on site and was informed of the tragic discovery shortly after noon.

This service may contain material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service that is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced.

AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time, 10 hours before GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Mary River, Kybong, Traveston, Gympie