‘The ultimate sacrifice paid’: Harrowing details emerge about Ballina boat tragedy – as local volunteers who lost their lives are hailed as heroes
Two experienced sea rescue volunteers who lost their lives during a treacherous rescue mission are being hailed as heroes.
William (Bill) Ewen, 74, and Frank Petsch, 62, died when their lifeboat capsized while trying to assist a sinking yacht off the NSW Far North Coast on Monday.
The solo sailor, Matthew Clayton, 54, also died.
Four other crew members – 55, 75 years old and two 61 years old – survived the crash and were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ballina’s Citizen of the Year Geoff Hutchinson was one of those volunteers and suffered serious injuries during the rescue, 7News reports.
Emergency services were called at around 6.15pm after a member of the public spotted a yacht in difficulty at the South Ballina breakwater.
A Marine Rescue NSW boat with six volunteers on board responded but capsized while crossing Ballina Bar in heavy 8-foot waves.
Several became trapped under the hull, while others were thrown from the ship.
Frank Petsch, 62, died when their lifeboat capsized while trying to assist a sinking yacht
William (Bill) Ewen, 74, also died when the boat overturned
Two local sea rescue volunteers lost their lives during a treacherous rescue mission near Ballina. A man aboard the sinking yacht they tried to save also died
“These men are heroes,” Joe McNulty, chief inspector of the NSW Police Marine Area Command, told reporters.
“They sacrificed their lives to save others and last night went to a ship in distress in difficult sea conditions to save the life of another man.”
Authorities suspended the search Tuesday morning after investigations revealed no one else was on board the yacht at the time.
Chief Inspector McNulty added that the sailor was not wearing a life jacket when his body was recovered, and that no distress signal had been activated beforehand.
NSW Marine Rescue Commissioner Todd Andrews described the tragedy as the darkest night in the command’s history.
He added that the six crew members involved in the rescue were all experienced and had the necessary qualifications.
“Circumstances can vary significantly but a risk assessment is always carried out before any sea rescue, but that will form part of the police investigation,” Commissioner Andrews said.
Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader fought back tears as she hugged emergency services and paid tribute outside the center on Tuesday.
NSW Marine Rescue Commissioner Todd Andrews described the two local volunteer rescuers who lost their lives as heroes
Heartbroken locals placed flowers outside the Marine Rescue Center and paid their respects
The tragedy has rocked the NSW Far North Coast beach town
She said the volunteers who died had “made the ultimate sacrifice.”
‘Virtually every sea rescue we undertake involves risk, and our volunteers understand that risk. That’s why I believe those two (dead) people are heroes,” she told reporters.
The surviving volunteers suffered injuries ranging from minor to broken bones.
“But that’s just their physical injuries. I am sure they all also have significant mental health issues,” Commissioner Andrews added.
‘I get the impression that they are not doing so well.’
It was later revealed that Captain Geoff Hutchinson, the local Citizen of the Year, was at the helm of the ship and broke his leg during the struggle to reach safety.
The tragedy has rocked the beach town, with shattered locals gathering at the naval rescue center to pay tribute.
The triple tragedy has shocked the Ballina community. Ballina Mayor Sharon Cadwallader is pictured being comforted by emergency workers on Tuesday
Authorities suspended the search Tuesday morning after investigations revealed no one else was on board the yacht at the time
The center consists of 100 volunteers and will remain closed for at least three days.
The Ballina community has rallied to raise more than $25,000 within hours to replace the sea lifeboat.
The damaged ship lay on its side on the beach near the southern breakwater on Tuesday.
Local Federal MP Kevin Hogan said on Tuesday the vote was “solemn in Ballina”.
“We are all once again reminded of the selfless actions of volunteers who risked their lives to keep us safe,” he said.
‘In an earlier conversation with rescue volunteers and management at sea, the welfare of the four volunteers who are still in hospital is a priority.’
NSW Premier Chris Minns also paid tribute to the volunteers.
A Marine Rescue NSW boat with six crew on board capsized while crossing the Ballina Bar in rough seas and high winds
“First responders are doing a great job keeping us safe in difficult circumstances,” he said.
“It’s part of the Australian character that you do that for your neighbor, for your community member… but it’s such a challenging time for this wonderful organization.”
The Ballina Breakwater, where another boat sank earlier this year, is notorious for its shifting sands, strong tidal currents and large ocean swells.
“The entrance to the Richmond River at Ballina has long had a reputation as one of the most dangerous river bars on the Australian coast,” Marine Rescue NSW said.