Three people have died following a boating tragedy off Ballina, with the search for additional victims now suspended after authorities confirmed no one else was on board a stricken yacht.
Emergency services were first called about 6.15pm on Monday 4 May after reports a yacht appeared to be in difficulties off the South Ballina breakwall.
Officers from Richmond Police District attended and located the body of a man, believed to be aged in his 50s, on nearby sand. He is yet to be formally identified.
Marine Rescue NSW launched a response with six crew members, however their vessel capsized while crossing the Ballina Bar in heavy conditions.
Two of those who died were Marine Rescue volunteers. One crew member, aged 78, was recovered by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter, while a second, aged 62, was located on the sand.
Four other crew members aged 55, 75 and two aged 61 made it to shore. They were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for various injuries before being taken to hospital for further treatment.
The yacht involved in the incident has since sunk. Authorities had initially been unsure how many people were on board.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched involving officers from Tweed Heads Marine Area Command and Richmond Police District, supported by NSW Ambulance, the State Emergency Service, the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter and the AMSA Challenger jet.
The search was suspended overnight due to dangerous weather conditions, before resuming on Tuesday morning.
It has now been suspended, with inquiries indicating there were no other people on board the yacht at the time.
Earlier, Superintendent Joe McNulty described conditions on the bar as “treacherous” and paid tribute to the Marine Rescue crew.
“We need to remember and reflect on the heroic actions of this crew overnight,” he said.
“These people do a fantastic job, volunteers in the community and putting their life at risk to go and save another vessel that was stricken and in danger.”
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the tragedy would be deeply felt.
“I think it’s important that we remember everybody’s family and friends at this time,” she said.
“This will be a shocking experience for all of those, but also for a community like Ballina.”
“It is a close-knit community, and they will really be feeling this today.”
Member for Ballina Tamara Smith said the community had woken to devastating news.
“I know we have all woken up to the shocking news that 3 people have died in a boating accident off the Ballina bar. Two of whom are Marine Rescue volunteers.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have passed, those who are still missing, those who have survived, and the entire marine rescue community.”
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the community would come together to get through this.
“This is an absolute tragedy for our community, our volunteers mean so much to us.”
“We will wrap our arms around our community,” she said.
“It is a timely reminder of how treacherous that bar is… you never know what you’re going to get with the Ballina Bar.”
Fundraising has begun for those affected, including the marine rescue crews who have lost two of their members.
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