A 13-year-old girl has died after a boat with six people on board capsized off the Moruya Bar on Saturday morning.
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Police said the vessel was carrying three adults and three children when it overturned about 7am while attempting to cross the Moruya River, about 1km from the shore.
Five of the passengers on board the 6.3-metre vessel were rescued, however the 13-year-old girl, believed to be from Canberra, was unable to be revived after being pulled from the water.
Three men aged 18, 29 and 46, as well as two 13-year-old children were taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries, including hypothermia, and were released hours later.
Emergency services including Surf Life Saving NSW crews from Moruya, Batemans Bay and Broulee, water police, paramedics, and the ambulance helicopter all raced to the scene where they were joined by local fishing boats.
During the rescue operation, responders were told a young girl was unaccounted for.
Following a search she was located by lifesaving personnel and was brought aboard the IRB where CPR was carried out, however all efforts to revive her were unsuccessful.
"It was a very distressing scene, a very traumatic incident," a Surf Life Saving NSW spokesman said.
SLS NSW chief executive Steven Pearce said at the time of the incident conditions were challenging with a swell of up to two metres on the outgoing tide.
“Our thoughts go out to the family and to the rescuers who were involved in this extremely challenging and confronting situation faced by all this morning,” he said.
Despite earlier reports, It is unclear if the boat’s occupants were wearing lifejackets.
Marine Rescue NSW sent three search and rescue vessels to the aid of the overturned boat.
Spokesman Brendan Trembath said about 7.40am the report was logged shortly earlier and the trio of rescue vessels had been activated.
The rescue vessels Narooma 30, Batemans 30 and Tuross 20 were sent.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page. Crimes should not be reported on Police social media pages.
Police from Marine Area Command will continue with the investigation, assisted by officers from South Coast Police District.
The vessel is yet to be recovered. A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
More to come.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
