Lifesaver Matthew Barclay died in 'relentless surf' on the Gold Coast

Young surf lifesaver Matthew Barclay died during the national surf life saving championships at Kurrawa Beach on Gold Coast in Queensland. Source: Supplied

   
A JET ski operator says conditions were so rough on the day a teenage lifesaver died during competition on the Gold Coast that he couldn't risk leaving his craft to help. 
 
A coronial inquest has begun into the death of 14-year-old Matthew Barclay during last year's Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast.
Matthew died while competing in an Under-15s board race in rough conditions at Kurrawa Beach on March 28 last year.
He was the third teenager to lose his life during the event at the same beach since 1996.
Volunteer water safety jetski operator Brian Lewis has told the inquest he watched Matthew being tossed in large surf as a loose board headed towards him on a collision course.
Mr Lewis said he was monitoring the under-15 board race when he saw a head pop above the water between two board paddlers, about 80 metres from shore.
The person was facing the beach, did not appear responsive and there was a loose board on a collision course with the person as the whitewater approached.
"I can't say 100 per cent yes (he was) struck by the board but with the events leading up to it ... I don't think there's any other assumption that can be made," Mr Lewis told counsel assisting the coroner Peter Johns.
He said the person went under the water and ...more