Trawler sinks; search on for two men
A search has commenced north of Ballina for two men after a third man has swum to shore after their vessel overturned.
About 4pm a passer-by located a 39-year-old man on New Brighton Beach in a distressed state. He stated he had been swimming for about 10 hours after his fishing trawler had sunk.
The man further stated he left his two male companions clinging to a flotation device about seven nautical miles out to sea.
Police attended the scene and have commenced a search of the area. Marine Area Command Launch “Fearless”, Westpac rescue helicopter, Volunteer Marine Agencies and Australian Search and Rescue are also involved in the search.
The man has been taken to Mullumbimby hospital for treatment and appears to be in a stable condition, suffering the effects of exhaustion and dehydration.
Police say the circumstances surrounding how the fishing trawler came to sink are unknown at this stage and investigations are continuing.
