Paul Doran drowned at Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head trying to save daughter: Family pays tribute
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Inside the struggle of two desperate parents to save their young daughter from a sudden tear, before only one of them came back alive.
- Irish family moved to Australia just six months ago
- Hero father drowned while trying to rescue his daughter
- It was the third such death in NSW already this year.
An Irish family that moved to Australia in July suffered an unimaginable tragedy when Paul and Simonne Doran watched their 11-year-old daughter be washed into the sea.
The family of five was on Seven Mile Beach in Lennox Head in northern New South Wales last week when young Lyra was caught in a current.
The brave couple jumped into the waves to save her, but the heroic 45-year-old father failed to make it back alive.
Paul Doran and his wife Simonne moved to Australia with their three children just a few months ago.
Irishman Paul Doran was with his wife and three children on Seven Mile Beach (pictured) in Lennox Head when their daughter was washed into the sea
He managed to reach his daughter and grab onto her bodyboard, but eventually lost control.
His wife then swam to Lyra and the two were able to return to the beach where they alerted authorities.
Two police officers, who were the first to arrive on the scene, entered the surf in an attempt to find the man, but were unsuccessful.
Surf lifeguards then arrived and recovered Mr. Doran’s body from the sea.
The devastating drowning on January 18 was, tragically, the third such case in New South Wales in a matter of weeks.
On New Year’s Day, police officer Peter Stone drowned moments after rescuing his teenage son from a ‘substantial’ rip off the state’s south coast.
Then, on January 3, an unidentified 42-year-old man drowned trying to rescue his teenage daughter who was trapped at Black Head on the North Shore of New South Wales.
Mr Doran’s family in Ireland opened up about their devastation.
Irishman Paul Doran (pictured) has been remembered as the man who wanted the best for his children.
“We lost Paul when he drowned while he and his wife bravely saved their children,” his brother-in-law Brendan McDonnell told 9News.
“It is hard to believe that we have lost Paul, and under such traumatic circumstances.
‘He was so looking forward to the future and had so many plans for his family.
“If you are a parent or have children in your life, then you know exactly what we mean when we say that Paul wanted what was best for his children.”
The devoted father was very involved in the children’s education, playing sports and participating in different activities, but also spending time together as a family.
The tragedy occurred at Seven Mile Beach (pictured), New South Wales, Australia, around 6:30pm on Wednesday night.
‘Which is exactly what they were doing that night when he lost his life saving them.’
Paul and Simonne Doran were crossfit enthusiasts living with their children Vann, Lyra and Shay in Lennox Head.
Simonne Doran posted a photo of herself and her husband on social media, along with a photo of the family together.
One user commented: ‘beyond sad to hear of Paul passing…he was such a wonderful soul’.
Police and Surf Lifesaving NSW appealed to bathers to be cautious in the sea during the summer months.
Surf Lifesaving NSW director Joel Wiseman said there has been a significant increase in water rescues in recent months.
He attributed the increase to children missing swimming lessons during the pandemic.
wiseman said Australian Sky News: “Unfortunately, we’re trying to catch up to try to increase drowning prevention and strategies across the country right now.”