Two drown after boat overturns off Warrnambool

It’s not known how, or why, but shortly after 10am, an otherwise perfect Friday morning at Warrnambool’s breakwater turned into tragedy for two men. 

Emergency services scrambled as reports of an overturned boat near the treacherous La Bella Reef started to flood in.

Close in, there was a large swell and the low tide meant waves were breaking over the top of the reef. 

In the middle of it was an upturned boat, with no signs of any occupants.

Life jackets were floating in the water along with other items from the boat, a blanket, a jerry can and what looked like cooler bags. 

A large crowed gathered as the air ambulance buzzed overhead and the coast guard boat and surf lifesaving club rubber ducky darted between the waves.

Then the dreaded call came, one body had been recovered, then shortly after, a second. 

Warrnambool Police senior sergeant Tania Barbary confirmed later the two men in their 70s, one a Warrnambool local, the other a tourist from Canada, had been pulled from the water unconscious. 

She said authorities were trying to piece together the pair’s activities on the water.

The Warrnambool Volunteer Coast Guard towed the boat back to Lady Bay beach, where it remained until Water Police from Melbourne arrived late in the afternoon to take over the investigation.

They will prepare a report for the coroner. 

It’s believed the men were not wearing life jackets when they were retrieved from the water and it is unknown what safety equipment was carried on the boat. 

Coast Guard flotilla commander Adrian Calderwood said a big break was rolling in as his crews responded, but described the conditions overall as calm. 

“The tide was out, so the waves were breaking over the reef,” Mr Calderwood said. 

“We made it out around the reef and conducted a search of the area with the help of HEMS and life savers and retrieved the boat.”