The Bundaberg-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew winched a father and son from an overturned yacht today, in a rescue operation off the coast of Bundaberg. 

It’s believed the keel snapped on the boat the men were on, causing it to overturn.

The father, aged in his 60s, and the son, aged in his 20s, managed to climb onto the upside-down vessel and set off an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), alerting Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), who deployed the helicopter shortly before 8.30am. 

Less than two hours later, the aeromedical crew managed to locate the men and performed two separate winch rescues, hoisting the men individually into the safety of the aircraft.

They were then flown to Bundaberg Hosptial for observation. 

The rescue chopper then returned to the search area to aid Hervey Bay Water Police in locating the vessel.