August 10, 2015
A 30-year-old Yarraman man who survived a tragic boating accident off Cape Moreton on Sunday was being treated for hypothermia and fatigue last night in Princess Alexandra Hospital.
The man – along with a father and son aged 24 and 57 from Beachmere – was on board a fishing vessel which capsized on its maiden voyage.
It is believed a wave knocked out the boat’s engine early on Sunday morning and then a second wave overturned the vessel, about 20 nautical miles north-east of Cape Moreton.
The three men were thrown into the water; they are not believed to have been wearing life jackets.
They managed to locate a floating EPIRB and activated the emergency signal.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority picked up the beacon’s signal about 7:00am and called local authorities.
However, the older man died before rescuers from the Queensland Government Helicopter could reach him. His son kept the body afloat until it was retrieved.
The Yarraman man was found clinging to a jerry can about 300m away after attempting to swim to get help.
The men are believed to have been in the water for about two hours before being winched aboard the chopper.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
