A fishing trip off the coast of South Australia has ended in tragedy, with one man dead and his best friend still missing after their boat failed to return to shore.
Search Launched After Alarm Raised
Ian Matheson, 67, from Victoria, and his friend Garry had been working to collect cray pots near Cape Jaffa on Tuesday. The location is approximately 316 kilometres south of Adelaide. Concerns were raised when the two men did not return as expected, prompting an alarm about 4pm.
Police immediately initiated a large-scale search operation. The effort involved Water Operations Police, the State Emergency Service (SES), and the PolAir helicopter unit, scouring the waters off the rugged coastline.
Tragic Discovery and Ongoing Search
The body of Ian Matheson was recovered from the water on Tuesday night. The search for his friend, known only as Garry, was suspended overnight due to darkness and challenging conditions.
Police confirmed they will resume the search for Garry on Wednesday morning, hoping to find the missing fisherman alive. The circumstances that led to the men being in the water are currently under investigation.
National Surge in Drowning Deaths
This incident highlights a worrying national trend. New statistics reveal that drowning deaths across Australia have surged, with a particularly sharp increase among older Australians.
Deaths among those aged over 65 have jumped by a staggering 48 per cent. This tragic event follows other recent water fatalities, including a man who drowned in a rip at Crescent Head in NSW late last month, and another who died after being pulled from a tidal pool in Sydney Harbour.
The series of incidents serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by Australian waterways, regardless of a person's experience or the activity they are undertaking.
