Flare leads rescuers to capsized boaters
10/02/2023
A water police helicopter crew used a flare to lead rescuers to five people whose boat had capsized near Melbourne, Australia.
The five who were on a tree in the water and an island on Lake Eildon after their speedboat capsized and sank in bad weather one night in February, were “very lucky” to be rescued, say Victoria Police.
In all, eight people were in the 7.5-metre boat, but three swam ashore, three reached an island and two clung to the tree.
A police helicopter used a flare to guide State Emergency Services rescue teams on the water to the stranded boaters, none of whom were wearing lifejackets. Three people were taken to hospital and a man was treated for hypothermia.
Inspector James Dalton of the water police unit says, “I must admit when I got the call at home … it sounded like it was going to be a dire result. Eight people going into the water in those conditions, they’re very lucky.”
The group was out for an evening cruise, but a large wave swamped the boat and it quickly sank. The boaters that reached shore alerted the authorities. Those on the island and tree were there for more than an hour.
The image is credit of Victoria Police.
