A MAN from Kent has drowned while taking a swim with his wife during a holiday in Australia. Raymond Marshall, 43, from Chapter Road, Strood, died along with his Australian friend Arthur Skellern after being caught in a rip-tide off the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Mr Marshall's wife Deborah, was pulled clear by surfers. She and Mr Skellern's wife have been comforting each other after the loss of their husbands.

The Marshalls had been staying with the Skellern family during their trip. They went for a swim in an unsupervised area off Mermaid Beach at about 2.30pm on Saturday when they got caught by the rip-tide, an underwater current that can be almost impossible to escape from and is difficult to spot.

Mr Marshall, a father of one, and Mr Skellern were both unconscious when lifeguards dragged them to shore. A helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing on the beach to bring a second defibrillator as attempts were made to start the two men's hearts.

The men were rushed to the Gold Coast Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.