It is with the heaviest of hearts that we mourn the loss of two brave Marine Rescue NSW crew members who have died in a tragic incident at Ballina.
Our emergency services are the first to rush to the rescue of people in danger and last night two of our courageous volunteers made the ultimate sacrifice.
Along with four of their crew mates, the volunteers were heading to the aid of a yacht in distress when their Marine Rescue NSW vessel capsized.
In difficult and dark conditions, additional emergency services then raced to their assistance.
Sadly, the mariner on board the yacht has also lost their life, and we offer our condolences to their family.
Four of the Marine Rescue crew are receiving medical treatment, and we give heartfelt thanks for their safety and their courage throughout these terrible events.
The loss of these members of our emergency services is a tragedy for their families and friends, as well as the communities they helped protect. It is a loss that is deeply felt across all our emergency services, especially throughout the Marine Rescue family.
My heart goes out to their loved ones and fellow crew members at the Marine Rescue Ballina unit. Our thoughts and thanks are also with the emergency service members who came together to assist them.
This is a very difficult and heart-breaking time for such a tight knit community.
Background:
Two Marine Rescue NSW volunteers from Ballina have lost their lives while coming to the aid of a stricken yacht on the State's North Coast last night.
At approximately 6.15 pm on Monday evening, a Marine Rescue NSW crew from Ballina was responding to the distressed yacht off the South Ballina break wall when their boat capsized in heavy seas crossing the bar. The Marine Rescue NSW vessel had six crew members on board, four of whom made it to shore. Another person who was on board the yacht has also died.
