Tragedy on the Water: Man Dies After Boat Slams Into Sandbank at Forster
A man has died following a marine accident on the NSW Mid North Coast yesterday.
Emergency services were called about 11:40am on Thursday (23 April) to the Breckenridge Channel near Little Street, Forster, after reports a vessel had struck a sandbank between Wallis Island and Wallis Point Island.
Police were told a 4.3-metre aluminium boat, powered by a 50hp outboard motor, hit the sandbank while travelling through the channel.
A 79-year-old passenger was thrown from his seat on impact and struck his head on the boat’s anchor cleat, suffering critical injuries.
The 71-year-old skipper freed the vessel and made his way to the nearest boat ramp, issuing a distress call via onboard VHF radio which alerted Marine Rescue.
Volunteers began CPR when the boat reached the wharf, before NSW Ambulance paramedics took over treatment. Despite their efforts, the man could not be revived and died at the scene.
The skipper was taken to Manning Base Hospital for mandatory testing.
A crime scene has been established, with officers from Marine Area Command launching an investigation under Strike Force Yozze. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
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