BALLINA, NSW – Two volunteer rescuers, identified as William (Bill) Ewen, 74, and Frank Petsch, 62, met their end Monday evening near South Ballina. Their deaths occurred when the rescue vessel they occupied capsized amidst rough seas. The incident unfolded during an attempted rescue of a yacht in distress, which had reportedly struck a breakwall and begun to break apart. The precise number of individuals aboard the distressed yacht remained unconfirmed by police at the time of reporting, though search operations were suspended after all were accounted for.
The tragedy claimed a total of three lives, with Ewen and Petsch being identified as members of a six-person Marine Rescue New South Wales team deployed to the scene. The capsizing of their rescue boat resulted in some volunteers being ejected, while others were trapped within its hull. The distress call was reportedly initiated by a member of the public who observed the yacht encountering difficulties off the breakwall around 6:15 PM on Monday.
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The marine rescue organisation has acknowledged the event as a "terrible night." Premier Chris Minns has offered condolences, acknowledging the volunteers' service. Fragments of the capsized rescue boat washed ashore on Tuesday, coinciding with tributes being observed at the local Marine Rescue tower. Initial reports suggest the distressed yacht was NSW-registered. Investigations into the precise circumstances of the capsize are ongoing, with police focusing on how the event transpired.
