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Witness describes frantic rescue attempt during deadly boating tragedy

ABC Australia · May 5, 2026, 9:47 PM

Key takeaways

  • Two volunteers died when this NSW Marine Rescue boat capsized at Ballina.
  • A crew of six Marine Rescue volunteers were thrown into the water at Ballina when their boat capsized as they went to the aid of a stricken of a yacht at about 6:00pm on Monday.
  • Volunteers Bill Ewen, 78, and Frank Petsch, 62, could not make it to shore and perished in the heavy sea near the mouth of the Richmond River.

Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.

Two volunteers died when this NSW Marine Rescue boat capsized at Ballina. (ABC News)

Link copied Share Share article. A witness to a New South Wales boating accident that claimed three lives has given a harrowing account of what he saw.

A crew of six Marine Rescue volunteers were thrown into the water at Ballina when their boat capsized as they went to the aid of a stricken of a yacht at about 6:00pm on Monday.

Article preview — originally published by ABC Australia. Full story at the source.
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