A search operation following the capsizing of a yacht off northern New South Wales has been concluded, according to police reports. The incident led to a rescue attempt that ended in tragedy.
The emergency services were alerted around 6:15 PM yesterday when a concerned individual reported that a yacht was in distress near the South Ballina break wall.
Responding to the call, a crew from Marine Rescue NSW attempted to navigate the Ballina bar under treacherous conditions, resulting in their rescue vessel capsizing.
Tragically, three lives were lost in this incident, with authorities releasing more information on the victims.
A man in his 50s was found deceased on the shore, although his identity has not yet been confirmed.
Among the six Marine Rescue crew members involved, two tragically lost their lives in the accident.
The body of one crew member, aged 78, was recovered by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter, while a second, aged 62, was found on the sand.
Four other crew members, aged 55, 75, and two aged 61, reached the shore and were treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
Police previously said none of them had suffered life-threatening injuries.
Officers at the time did not know how many people had been aboard the yacht, and launched a coordinated search with the help of paramedics, the SES, the Westpac chopper, and the AMSA Challenger jet.
That search was paused overnight due to dangerous weather, before resuming this morning.
The search has since been suspended after police said inquiries indicated that no other people were on board the yacht at the time.
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