The Bundaberg RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew has winched a woman to safety, after she spent the night and much of today, floating in the ocean. when the yacht she was travelling in sank.
The rescue chopper was tasked by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as part of an extensive multi-agency search mission last night (Sun, 14 May), to locate two people after their vessel had reportedly started to take on water, off the coast of K’gari (Fraser Island).
It’s believed the boaties managed to send a radio distress call, at about 8.30pm, to the Gladstone Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) before abandoning their 30-foot yacht.
The woman reportedly saw the vessel sink but was wearing a lifejacket and managed to stay afloat, as the search for her and her fellow yachtie, was underway.
There was no sign of the missing people overnight and the search resumed at around 5.30 this morning (Mon, 15 May), with the Bundaberg RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew conducting an aerial search around the northern tip of the popular tourist island.
A number of other emergency aircraft and vessels were also deployed by AMSA, including the Sunshine Coast-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter, a Challenger 604 fixed wing aircraft, the Queensland Police Service boat and Hervey Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue.
Seven nautical miles north west of Sandy Cape, the Bundaberg LifeFlight chopper crew located the woman in the water, surrounded by debris.
It was decided the safest course of action was to winch the Rescue Crewman down to her, before hoisting her into the safety of the helicopter.
The patient, who is aged in her 20s, was reportedly fatigued but in good health and was flown to the Bundaberg RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter base, just after 1pm.
She was assessed by the local Queensland Ambulance Service personal and taken to Bundaberg Hospital for further observation.
The search is continuing with the assistance of both Bundaberg and Sunshine Coat RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopters.
