A MAN who drowned while backpacking in Australia has been named as Malvern's Ed Lowe.

Police in Australia have said an international tourist from the UK drowned in thermal pools and the BBC are reporting this man is Ed Lowe, a former lifeguard at Malvern Splash leisure complex.

The former The Chase Technology College pupil had been backpacking with friends when he visited the pools, a popular tourist hotspot in the town of Mataranka in northern Australia about 260 miles south of Darwin, on August 7.

Northern Territory Police say the 23-year-old had been swimming when he was pulled unconscious from the water by friends around 6pm that night.

CPR was administered on him by an off-duty paramedic and nurse until clinic staff, police and paramedics arrived. CareFlight, an Australian air ambulance rapid response vehicle, was also dispatched and Mr Lowe was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital.

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A Northern Investigation Section Team also travelled to Mataranka to assist local police with their inquiries in relation to the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, Northern Territory Police say.

In the latest update, issued on Monday, Northern Territory Police said it would prepare a file for the coroner in relation to the drowning death, adding the man’s death was not being treated as suspicious. The force was also appealing for witnesses to come forward.