A man has tragically died in a freak marine accident on the New South Wales Mid North Coast. The 79-year-old man was a passenger on a 4.3-metre aluminium boat traversing the Breckenridge Channel, situated between Wallis Island and Wallis Point Island in Forster, when the vessel struck a sandbar at approximately 11:40am on Thursday.
The force of the impact was so severe that the man was ejected from his seat and struck his head on the boat's anchor cleat, a fitting used to secure ropes or lines to a boat or dock. He sustained serious head injuries as a result of the collision.
The boat's driver, a 71-year-old man, managed to free the boat from the sandbank and immediately proceeded to the nearest boat ramp. He then called for help using the onboard radio, alerting Marine Rescue to the emergency.
Upon arrival at the wharf, Marine Rescue volunteers commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the injured man before paramedics from NSW Ambulance arrived and continued treatment. Despite their efforts, the man could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the boat was taken to Manning Base Hospital for mandatory testing following the incident.
Police have established a crime scene, and officers from the Marine Area Command have launched Strike Force Yozze to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. The local community has been left shocked by the tragic event, which highlights the dangers that can arise even during routine boating activities.
