Irish tourist drowns near Perth

An Irish tourist has drowned off an Australian beach in a freak swimming tragedy.

According to local reports, a 28-year-old Irishman was pulled unconscious from the bottom of the ocean near Perth in western Australia, 25 minutes after a search was launched.

It is understood the man drowned off Scarborough beach, a 20-minute drive from Perth, after he was caught in a rip yesterday.