Ballina boat incident: Three dead, including two rescuers, after vessel capsizes during emergency response

Authorities have called off a major search operation after confirming three people, including two rescuers, died in a devastating rescue mission gone wrong off the NSW north coast.

Three people are confirmed dead, while four people have made it to shore after two vessels got into difficulties off Ballina. Picture: Facebook

A horror boating accident off the coast of Ballina has claimed three lives, including two volunteer rescuers, with authorities now suspending the search after confirming no one else was on board the stricken yacht.

Emergency services were called about 6.15pm on Monday after reports a yacht was in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

When officers arrived, they located the body of a man, believed to be in his 50s, on the nearby sand. He is yet to be formally identified.

A Marine Rescue NSW vessel carrying six crew members was deployed to assist but capsized while attempting to cross the Ballina Bar in heavy conditions.

Superintendent Joe McNulty described the incident as a “tragic set of circumstances”, extending condolences to the Marine Rescue community.

“They were responding to a vessel in distress, exactly what they volunteer to do, and unfortunately, last night was not their night,” he said on 2GB.

“There was about 2.5 metres of sea coming through the bar, with strong wind and swell… as they attempted to cross just after 6pm, the vessel capsized.”

Two crew members, aged 78 and 62, died in the incident. One was recovered by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter, while the other was located on the sand.

“Those two were dedicated members… volunteers who were out there trying to save others,” Supt McNulty said.

Rescue efforts on Monday night. Picture: Facebook

Four other crew members, aged 55, 75 and two aged 61, made it back to shore and were treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital with various injuries.

The yacht they were attempting to assist is believed to have struck the break wall and broken apart before sinking.

A multi-agency search involving Marine Area Command, Tweed Heads Water Police, the State Emergency Service, the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter and an AMSA Challenger jet was launched, but was briefly suspended overnight due to dangerous weather.

The operation resumed on Tuesday morning but has since been called off after inquiries confirmed no additional people were on board the yacht at the time.

“Three people have lost their lives in total… in what has been a devastating incident,” Supt McNulty said.

“It’s a tragedy… not just for those involved, but for the entire Marine Rescue community.”

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing.