Perth couple Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan and Sabrina Ahmed die trying to save daughter from drowning

A Perth couple died while “selflessly” saving one of their daughters from drowning at a treacherous beach near Walpole, it has been revealed. Curtin University professor Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan, 44, and his wife, Sabrina Ahmed, 40, were pulled from the ocean at Conspicuous Beach in Nornalup, about 17km from Walpole, at 2.40pm on Saturday. Friends of the couple say the pair, who were on holiday with their young family, had dived into the water to save their daughter from drowning. She survived. But despite desperate efforts from first responders to revive her parents, they could not be saved. A friend of the pair, a 42-year-old man who also dived in to help, was also pulled from the water in distress but he survived. He was rushed to Denmark Hospital where he remained in a stable condition on Sunday. “The magnitude of this tragedy is beyond words,” a tribute for the couple posted online said. “This is, without a doubt, one of the most heart-wrenching losses the Bangladeshi community in Perth has ever experienced. They were a wonderful couple, deeply respected and loved by everyone who knew them. “Please keep their two young daughters, their extended family, and their friends in your thoughts and prayers.” Dr Swapan was an associate professor at Curtin University’s School of Design and the Built Environment. Sustainability expert Peter Newman worked alongside him and said everyone at the university was in shock. “He was a beautiful, gentle leader who loved his kids and loved his job and we’ll all miss him,” he said. Dr Swapan’s wife was also an academic who studied planning and development at Khulna University in Bangladesh before the couple moved to Perth in 2011. Manjimup Shire president Donelle Buegge said the accident was an absolute tragedy, particularly at this time of year. Conspicuous Cliff is about 100km west of Albany on a rugged stretch of the WA coast exposed to strong seas and massive swells. “Unfortunately it is a pretty rough coastline, but it’s summer and it’s warm and there’s no lifeguards there,” Ms Buegge said. “It is a popular fishing beach and I’m surprised people were swimming there.” Royal Life Saving research found that drowning cases peak during the summer months, with most occurring between Christmas and New Year. Last summer 26 per cent of all Australian drowning deaths occurred during this period. There have been 26 drowning deaths recorded since December 1. “The festive season is a time for relaxing, social gatherings and celebrations, but we know this is the riskiest time to be around water,” Royal Life Saving Australia chief executive officer Dr Justin Scarr said. “So it’s also when we need to stay most vigilant around water. “The dangers are heightened when people travel, visit unfamiliar locations, or celebrate near water, and the risk is highest on public holidays, particularly Christmas Day and Boxing Day, which consistently record the highest drowning rates.” The tragedy comes as Surf Life Saving launched a new Beach Passport in a bid to reduce drowning deaths. The passport is available in multiple languages and tailors information to different age groups.