IN A disastrous day on Bass Coast beaches on Friday, January 12, the police airwing was called in to search for a swimmer last seen in the area of the rocks at the western end of the Kilcunda surf beach.
In an incident believed to have taken place prior to 8pm, two surfers reportedly saw the man struggling in the water however, by the time they got to him, the man had disappeared under the waves.
The distressed surfers came back to the shore to speak with the family of the swimmer and then went back into the water to search for him until police and ambulance arrived.
Police carried out a search from the rocks for the man but were unable to locate him and the police airwing was called in.
The rescue helicopter arrived shortly before dark and had enough time to make several sweeps of the beach and the waves, concentrating in the area of the rocks, in front of the iconic trestle bridge, later using their search light but were unable to locate the missing man.
Police and a search team remained on the beach after dark, walking up and down with lights while others, including supporters of the surfers and the man’s family watched from the rail trail above the beach.
Local police have made a report to police media who are expected to release details soon.
Drowning at Phillip Island
Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man at Surf Beach on Phillip Island this afternoon.
Emergency services responded after a man was pulled to shore by passers-by just after 3.30pm.
CPR was commenced, but the man has died at the scene.
The man is yet to be formally identified.
The death is not being treated as suspicious.
Missing jetskier found
Officers from the Water Police have found a missing jet-ski rider safe and well after he failed to return to shore and was missing overnight.
Police have been told a 48-year-old Clarinda man launched the jet-ski from Pattison River about 6pm before calling a relative when he experienced engine trouble just after 10.30pm.
The man’s brother attended the scene and launched his own boat to search but called police when he lost communication with the missing man about 12.30am.
An immediate air and water search commenced which included the Air Wing, Water Police and a volunteer coast guard conducting a sweep of the area.
The man was eventually located stranded aboard his powerless jet ski in waters off Parkdale during the dead of night by Water Police.
Thankful for a tow back to shore, the man was uninjured and in good spirits when he was reunited with his brother about eight hours after he initially hit the water.