Tasmanian GP and advocate for rural health Dr Dennis Pashen has tragically drowned while swimming off a beach in the state’s south this week.
Dr Pashen “vanished from sight” while “swimming out to his dinghy” off Kingfisher Beach at South Bruny Island around 5pm on Thursday, police said.
With a four-decade career in medicine, Dr Pashen retired in 2021 and was named the 2022 Tasmanian Rural Doctor of the Year for his time working in Queenstown on the west coast.
Sharing the news of his passing online, the Rural Doctors Association said: “His loss will leave an immense hole in the hearts of many.”
Dr Pashen relocated to Tasmania in 2006 and worked with Ochre Health across various practices.
The news of his passing has left colleagues and friends across Australia devastated.
Tragic end to search as elderly swimmer’s body recovered off beach in Tasmania’s south
The body of a swimmer who “vanished from sight” while swimming in waters off Bruny Island this afternoon has been found.
The man aged in his 70s was last seen “swimming out to his dinghy” off Kingfisher Beach at South Bruny around 5pm on Thursday.
Police say the rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene and located the man’s body in the water around 6pm.
Members of the public that assisted officers at the scene have been thanked by Police, who passed their thoughts on to the man’s family and loved ones.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
5:30pm, Thursday 23 November: An urgent search has been launched for a swimmer reported missing off a beach in Tasmania’s south this afternoon.
Police say the male swimmer was last seen swimming out to a boat off Kingfisher Beach on Bruny Island shortly before 5pm on Thursday.
The man has not yet returned to the beach.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter been dispatched to the scene to assist with the search.
