Dr. Mohammad Swapan, 44, and Dr. Sabrina Ahmed, 40, lost their lives while attempting to save their youngest daughter from a powerful rip current at Conspicuous Cliff Beach, near Walpole in Western Australia.
The family, enjoying a Christmas holiday at the remote beach, faced tragedy on Saturday, December 28, when their daughter was swept into dangerous waters.
Emergency services were alerted at approximately 2:40 p.m. after reports of three individuals in distress. A 42-year-old man, a friend of the couple, also entered the water to assist.
According to The Australian Today, all three were eventually pulled from the ocean by nearby beachgoers. Despite efforts to revive Dr. Swapan and Dr. Ahmed with CPR, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The 42-year-old rescuer was successfully revived on-site and remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Dr. Swapan, an associate professor at Curtin University, and Dr. Ahmed, an academic specializing in planning and development, were highly regarded members of the Bangladeshi community in Perth. The couple relocated to Australia in 2011 and were remembered as deeply respected and beloved by those who knew them.
Peter Newman, a colleague of Dr. Swapan, expressed his sorrow to The West Australian, saying, “He was a beautiful, gentle leader who loved his kids and loved his job. We’ll all miss him.”
The couple’s youngest daughter survived the incident and has since returned home with her sister to stay with relatives. The Bangladeshi community in Perth remains in mourning, paying tribute to the couple’s legacy and the profound impact they had on their community.
