Port Lincoln, South Australia: Uni professor and son survive after three killed in fishing boat capsize

A fisherman who was one of three to die when their boat capsized off the coast of South Australia had beaten cancer twice, his shattered loved ones have revealed – as a top academic and his son survived the horror fishing trip.

Five people were on board the ill-fated boat when it capsized near Spilsby Island off the coast of Port Lincoln at around 4pm on Monday.

Professor Danny Eckert, 44, from Flinders University, and his 12-year-old son were found clinging to a reef about 2am on Tuesday.

The pair were rescued after more than 10 hours in icy water and taken to Port Lincoln Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Tragically, they were the only survivors, with Danny’s father Paul, 73, brother Tom, 40, and Paul’s close friend and captain Alan Bottrill, 71, all dying when their 6.2 meter boat was hit by a freak wave.

The bodies of Tom Eckert (left), his father Paul Eckert (right) and Mr Bottrill were found in the water by emergency services on Tuesday

Bottrill’s wife Pamela and their children Rónán and Amélie said in a statement that the 71-year-old had battled cancer twice.

“Alan was 71 years old and still a true adventurer who enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling with friends and family,” the statement said.

“He leaves behind a wife, two children and two grandchildren who will miss him dearly.”

Mrs Bottrill said her husband was an experienced fisherman who “never” thought he would be killed doing the hobby he loves.

She said the group took off in “calm seas” on the day of the accident.

“Alan had a lifelong love of fishing and had extensive experience in boating and fishing. “We understand there was a ‘freak’ wave that did not allow time for normal safety procedures to be put in place,” Ms Bottrill said. The advertiser.

Five people were on board the ill-fated boat when it capsized near Spilsby Island near Port Lincoln at around 4pm on Monday.

Professor Danny Eckert (pictured) and his 12-year-old son were found with non-life-threatening injuries after clinging to a reef off Spilsby Island for around 10 hours

“We have no information about what actually happened.”

Mr Bottrill and Paul had been fishing together for more than a decade after meeting while working at SA Health.

One of the couple’s former colleagues, Kylie Peterson, said the duo were “extremely adventurous” and people you would want to “live vicariously through.”

“Mr. Bottrill was the kind of person you sat down and listened to and said, ‘Gosh, I would love to have that adventurous spirit,'” she said.

A massive rescue operation for the fishermen was launched after relatives alerted police just after 8.30pm on Monday when they did not return.

In addition to a police helicopter, police water operations, local rescue vessels, a Challenger jet and P&O cruise ship, the Pacific Explorer took part in the search.

The group was fishing near Spilsby Island off the coast of Port Lincoln, SA

Police will now prepare reports for the coroner.

South Australia Police Commissioner Paul Bahr said Prof Eckert and his son were treated for hypothermia after being brought to safety.

“The boat itself has also been located and is on its way back to Port Lincoln,” Supt Bahr said.

‘That will be released later today and will be subject to further forensic examination and any investigation the coroner may require.’

Danny Eckert is professor of medicine and public health at Flinders University and director of the school’s world-renowned Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health.

In 2019, he received the Pierre Robin Award from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine for “exceptional initiative and advancement in education and academic research with original contributions to dental sleep medicine.”