CCTV footage captured the moment a boat dramatically capsized in rough waves, killing one man and injuring another who had to be rescued.
The two men were crossing the Tweed River Bar near Tweed Heads, in northern New South Wales, at 6am on July 13 when their 6.5-metre boat became airborne.
The footage shows the boat sailing over a wave with its headlight on, before a second wave launches it into the air near Duranbah Beach.
The boat immediately sank and fell back into the water.
Emergency services launched a rescue operation with several people, including local police, the navy, a rescue helicopter and rescue workers.
A 58-year-old man was pulled from the water by three beachgoers on a jet ski, who then took the man to a lifeboat.
He was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital for preventive checks.
A second man, 56, was pulled from the ocean by the rescue helicopter but could not be revived. He has not yet been identified.
New South Wales police are still investigating what happened, but a spokesperson said “initial investigations indicate neither man was wearing a life jacket at the time”.
CCTV captured the moment a boat capsized near Tweed Heads, in northern NSW, at 6am on July 13
Rescuers pulled a 56-year-old man from the water, who could not be saved. Another 58-year-old was rushed to a nearby hospital
The men had launched the boat from the Kennedy Drive boat ramp and were sailing over the sandbar when the boat capsized.
The wreck later washed up on the beach as rescuers were trying to treat the men on board.
Detective Donna Tutt thanked everyone who helped in the ‘collaborative rescue effort’.
“They did a fantastic job in difficult circumstances,” she said told 7News.
Detective Sergeant Tutt added that It was ‘very important’ that people understood the importance of life jackets at sea.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Initial police investigations indicate that neither man was wearing a life jacket when the boat capsized.
According to the New South Wales Government, the Tweed River Bar is popular for boating and commercial fishing.
Coastal banks are shallow, shifting sandbanks at the entrances to rivers and estuaries. Authorities warn that strong currents and large, breaking waves can occur.
According to New South Wales authorities, crossing coastal strips can be very dangerous, even in calm weather, as the channels through the strips and the waves can change constantly.
The investigation into the incident continues and a report will be prepared for the coroner.