Fisherman Washed Away By Giant Wave

[mrmoshe]

Fisherman washed away by giant wave

A man has been washed away by a giant wave while fishing on rocks on Tasmania's east coast.

The man was fishing alongside another man at Cosy Corner near Binalong when a wave swept him off the rocks at about 12.40pm (AEDT) on Friday.

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"One of the pair had his fishing line caught in some kelp and went to the water's edge in an attempt to retrieve his line," said Tasmania Police's Inspector Shane LeFevre.

"Bystanders were in the area at the time and witnessed the person struggling in the strong surf after being knocked off his feet by waves.

The Westpac rescue helicopter, marine police, SES volunteers and a rescue aircraft from Victoria searched for the man, but he could not be found.

"Police and SES have been deployed overnight in the immediate vicinity with further resources to be deployed at daybreak," Inspector LeFevre said.

"Police divers have arrived at St Helens and will be ready to deploy as soon as weather conditions allow on Saturday morning."

A full-scale rescue operation will continue on Saturday.

Saturday's weather conditions are expected to change, with 25-knot winds and a 1.5 metre swell before a southerly change.