THREE people are dead after a horrors few days on the water last week.
Two men died in the water at Frankston Beach during a wild storm last Wednesday, 22 October.
Emergency services were called to the beach after two people were spotted in trouble in the water. Police believe that one of the men was surfing when his board snapped, prompting the second man to jump into the water to help. At around 5pm, the police Air Wing helicopter located the two people unresponsive. The men were winched back to shore, but could not be resuscitated. They were declared dead.
Frankston mayor Kris Bolam was among those to pay tribute to the deceased; he said “it is with profound sadness that I acknowledge two people who have tragically lost their lives on Wednesday after being swept from the Frankston Pier during extreme wind conditions. On behalf of the entire Frankston City community, I extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones. We share in your grief and stand with you during this heart-breaking time.”
Winds at Frankston Beach ranged from 45 to 65 kmph on Wednesday afternoon. Bolam said “this devastating event is a sharp reminder of the power of nature and the real risk posed by severe weather. The Bureau of Meteorology and other authorities have issued warnings of strong gusts, rough seas and dangerous conditions along our coast and foreshore this week. We urge everyone in our community – residents, visitors, fishers, walkers and beach-goers – to heed these warnings.”
Victoria Police will prepare a report for the coroner. In a statement, it said “the male Tactical Flight Officer from Air Wing was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries following the incident and he has since been released.”
Tragedy struck again on Friday night with a man in his 20’s lost, presumed drowned, in the waters off Mornington Pier. It is understood a small boat, with two people onboard, overturned around 1km from shore late Friday night, with emergency services called to Schnapper Point Drive about 11.15pm.
One man was rescued by another boat. He was assessed by paramedics and was not seriously injured.
The second male occupant, believed to be 26-year-old Mornington man Sam Fowler, was unable to be located.
An immediate search commenced involving water police, the air wing and uniform officers, with assistance from Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, Life Saving Victoria and the coast guard.
A police mobile command unit was in place at the pier on Saturday, with a large group of family and friends of the missing man waiting for news. Rescue vessels searched the area offshore from Mornington Pier during Saturday, and police divers scoured the area around the stricken vessel. Also present was a large contingent of television media, perched on the point above the pier waiting for news.
Treacherous weather had settled in on Sunday, and the presence at the pier scaled back, although the air wing was believed to be sweeping the waters north and south of the pier, searching for any signs of the lost man. By Monday, the search had resumed using helicopters and a police drone.
By Brodie Cowburn and Cameron McCullough
