Family, police over the moon with teenager discovery

EMERGENCY services have hailed a “Christmas miracle” after four missing teenagers were found safe following a dangerous, overnight paddleboard crossing of Port Phillip Bay.

But police concede the group was lucky to emerge unscathed and issued a warning about ocean conditions for summer.

Two men both aged 18 and two women aged 18 and 19 were reported found on Swan Island about 9am Tuesday morning, after they had gone missing from Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula on Monday evening.

The group was taken to Geelong Hospital on Tuesday where they received precautionary health checks and were reunited with relieved family.

The teenagers were in Rosebud as a celebration of finishing their VCE exams earlier this year.

Belongings including phones and ID were found at a Rosebud beach about 8pm, sparking a rescue search.

Southerly and south-easterly winds at Port Phillip Bay overnight Monday had blown the group and their inflatable paddleboards more than 20 kilometres to the Australian Secret Intelligence Agency training area off Queenscliff.

“The four teens miraculously found alive on Swan Island this morning spent the night drifting in the cold choppy bay,” Victoria Police stated on Tuesday.

“They set out on two stand-up paddle boards from Rosebud Foreshore yesterday evening and after getting caught in strong winds, drifted into the middle of the bay.

“The four couldn’t fight against the easterly wind so floated with the tide and ended up on Swan Island – the opposite side of the bay – around 2am.

“Cold and disorientated, the four found shelter in a hut. Once the sun rose, they wandered the island and were located by security.”

Acting Inspector Ian Pregnell told Melbourne radio 3AW said police were elated with the result.

“All too often, these things usually end in tragedy.

“This is, one might say, a Christmas miracle.”

Police said the incident highlighted the need for vigilance in ocean conditions as residents and visitors flock to beaches for summer.

“As we enjoy the beach over the Christmas period, we remind you to check weather and water conditions regularly, tell friends and family your plans – where you’re going and when you’ll return, [and] check the beach hazard safety rating of your beach.”