Two men are found and a third perishes after boat capsized off coast of Western Australia: Trio were trapped in freezing water for hours near Alkimos
Two men are found and a third dies after boat capsized off the coast of Western Australia: Trio was trapped in icy waters near Alkimos for hours
- Boat capsized off a coastal suburb north of Perth
- Two men survived and one died before help arrived
- Survivors ‘heartbroken’ after loss of ‘good friend’
Two men who survived being stranded at sea after a rogue wave capsized their boat have relived the ‘heartbreaking’ moment when their friend died before help arrived.
The three Western Australian men ran into trouble on Friday when their anchor caught on the seabed about 11.5 miles from Alkimos, a coastal suburb north of Perth.
The trio was then thrown into the water after the boat was hit by a rogue wave and capsized.
Emergency services, including a rescue helicopter and marine police, rushed to help another ship that spotted the capsized boat and pulled the men aboard.
Jason Whitehouse and Phil Miers survived the tragic accident after floating in icy water for two hours.
Jason Whitehouse and Phil Miers (pictured) floated in freezing water for two hours alongside their friend who died after their boat capsized
The couple’s friend fell ill while waiting in the water and sadly died before help arrived
The pair were stranded next to the body of their friend, who, after falling ill, died before help arrived.
Mr Whitehouse and Mr Miers said they are ‘heartbroken’ that they have ‘lost a good friend’.
“His infectious smile and friendly nature will be sorely missed,” they said 9News.
Two fishermen, Clive and Ian, who were on their own journey, spotted the men in distress and carried them to safety.
“Thank you to Clive and Ian who spotted us, got us to safety and even gave us their clothes to warm up,” the couple said. Our wives and families will be eternally grateful.”
The capsized boat has since been towed back to shore and seized as part of an investigation into the cause of the accident
Police said Mr Whitehouse and Mr Miers were wearing life jackets and deployed an orange emergency bullet when they got into trouble.
“There was quite a swell today… the seas can be quite unforgiving,” senior sergeant Jamie Brennan told the media on Friday.
The capsized boat has since been towed back to shore and seized as part of an investigation into the cause of the accident.
A report is also being prepared for the coroner.