Three dead in Ballina bar rescue tragedy

Two members of the Marine Rescue NSW Ballina unit have died after their vessel capsized while responding to a distressed yacht off the Ballina Bar.

A third man has also been confirmed dead, with police locating his body on the sand near South Ballina on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called about 6.15pm on Monday, May 4, after reports a yacht was in difficulty off the break wall.

A Marine Rescue NSW crew launched from Ballina to assist, but their vessel rolled while crossing the bar in heavy conditions.

Two Ballina-based volunteers, aged 78 and 62, died during the response.

Four other crew members, aged 55, 75 and two aged 61, made it to shore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Police said the third man is believed to be aged in his 50s and is yet to be formally identified.

Initial reports suggested people may have been on board the yacht, but inquiries now indicate no one else was on board at the time and the vessel is believed to have sunk.

Tweed Heads Water Police and officers from Richmond Police District attended, with the search coordinated by Marine Area Command.

The search has now been suspended.

In a statement, Marine Rescue NSW said the loss had deeply affected the organisation.

“Last night, Marine Rescue NSW suffered a devastating tragedy,” it said.

“Six volunteers from Marine Rescue Ballina launched to assist a disabled yacht — answering the call for help as our people do every hour of every day.

“Tragically, two of those volunteers lost their lives during the response.”

Additional assistance was provided by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the AMSAR Challenger jet.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.