The 54-year-old went swimming at The Spit this morning when he ran into trouble and was spotted unconscious by members of the public.

Surf Life Saving Queensland duty officer Ken Lloyd said it is understood the man was with his carer.

“He took on a lot of water and blacked out, that’s the information that we’ve got,” Lloyd said.

Families nearby used picnic rugs to shelter the man as lifeguards and paramedics performed CPR. 

Despite their best efforts, the man couldn’t be revived.

“The public were great, they helped shade him, keep the kids away,” Lloyd said.

“They rescued the carer as well.”

It is the second drowning on the Gold Coast in less than two weeks.

A 26-year-old Indian man died after being pulled from the water by lifesavers at a nearby beach.

“Water is dangerous, hopefully it’s not a sign of things for the summer,” Lloyd said.