Harrowing pictures have captured the second two males had been rescued in waters off the coast of central Queensland, having spent the evening tied to a blue Esky after their boat overturned.
Emergency providers are persevering with their determined seek for a 3rd man nonetheless lacking, with police saying they maintain critical considerations for his welfare.
The three males – two brothers and one other man – had been aboard a vessel when an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was activated about 85 nautical miles northeast from Mackay Harbour at about 8.10pm on Thursday.
Emergency crews – together with police, Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR), the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Response Centre and a rescue helicopter – combed Creal Reef within the Coral Sea in response.
On Friday morning one of many males was situated clinging to the boat.
“Unfortunately, due to serious fuel and operational constraints, the helicopter was unable to winch the man,” an RACQ CQ Rescue spokeswoman stated.
The Grasstree man, 44, was retrieved by VMR about 7am and transported to Mackay Base Hospital in a critical situation.
A second Bray Park man, 43, was discovered bare floating close to the reef by the rescue helicopter simply after 11am.
“He was suffering exposure, dehydration and hypothermia after being in the water since about 8.30pm last night,” the spokeswoman stated.
“He was in an altered state of consciousness and was suffering serious cuts to his body from the reef.”
The man was flown to the identical hospital for remedy.
But a 41-year-old Grasstree Beach man has not been situated – with police holding “serious concerns” for his welfare.
RACQ CQ stated the second Bray Park man informed rescuers a wave hit their 7m Goodwin Longboard about 8.30pm on the evening of the incident.
“All three had clung to the hull of the boat after it sank until the two brothers tied themselves to a blue Esky to assist with flotation,” the spokeswoman stated.
“They somehow became separated (from the third man) during the night.”
Senior Constable Syrrell Howard from the Mackay Whitsunday Water Police stated the trio departed Mackay Harbour earlier this week for leisure fishing.
“We were hampered initially by low light conditions and also by the area being so remote,” he stated.
Boaties and different leisure water customers are requested to right away report sightings to police.
Source: www.news.com.au
