Sydney Man Dies After Struggling in Surf at Port Hood Beach
A tragic incident at Port Hood Beach in Nova Scotia is a sobering reminder of how quickly water emergencies can turn life-threatening—even in lifeguarded areas.
Greg MacDonald, a 59-year-old man from Sydney, N.S., died after struggling in the surf over the weekend. His brother, Gerald MacDonald, said the incident was simply a case of being “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
A Sudden and Unpredictable Emergency
According to Gerald MacDonald, Greg and his wife Sharon were standing together, holding hands in waist-deep water at the lifeguarded beach when they were suddenly struck by a powerful wave. Almost immediately, both sensed they were in trouble.Despite the danger, Greg managed to push his wife to safety—an action Sharon later credited with saving her life. Gerald emphasized that his brother had no pre-existing medical conditions and had not put himself in a risky situation prior to the incident.
Rapid Response from Lifeguards and Medical Professionals
Paul D’Eon, director of the Nova Scotia Lifeguard Service, said Greg was approximately 30 metres offshore when the emergency occurred. His wife reached him while he was still conscious and responsive. As she began bringing him back toward shore, he continued kicking but gradually deteriorated.
By the time they reached the beach, Greg was no longer breathing and became unresponsive.
Lifeguards and paramedics immediately began CPR, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) was used. Several bystanders—including nurses and at least two doctors—also stepped in to help. Despite having trained responders and proper equipment on scene, Greg was pronounced dead at the beach.
Gerald MacDonald later said the family was extremely grateful, noting that rescuers did “everything humanly possible” to save his brother.
Remembering Greg MacDonald
Greg and Sharon had been married for 36 years and were parents to two grown sons, one of whom was preparing to be married later that summer. Greg was well known in the community for his work with the annual Christmas Daddies telethon, his camera work for Mass for Shut-Ins, and his career at ATV as a production switcher. Most recently, he worked in material management at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Gerald described his brother as “one of the good guys,” someone who always had the ability to make people laugh. The couple loved the sandy beaches along Nova Scotia’s western shore, with Port Hood among their favourites.
Sharon MacDonald was hospitalized overnight as a precaution after ingesting a significant amount of seawater during the ordeal.
Why CPR and AED Training Matter
This heartbreaking incident highlights how unpredictable surf conditions can be—and why immediate CPR and AED use are so critical during drowning and cardiac emergencies. Even with lifeguards present, fast action and proper training can improve survival outcomes.
Learning these skills through CPR and AED training in Calgary can help ensure you’re prepared to act when seconds matter most. Courses offered through Calgary First Aid teach participants how to respond confidently during cardiac, drowning, and other sudden medical emergencies.
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