Elderly Fishermen Drown In Boat Mishap

[mrmoshe]

Elderly fishermen drown in boat mishap

May 12, 2009 - 3:14PM

Two elderly men have drowned on a fishing trip in the Port Stephens area of NSW.

Emergency crews went to Caswell Crescent near Tanilba Bay about 11am (AEST) today after being told there were people in the water.

"The local men, aged 72 and 74, were in a small runabout inspecting crab pots off Bato Bato Point, near Tanilba Bay, just after 10am," police said in a statement.

"A short time later, members of the public noticed the pair in trouble in the water not far from the shoreline and raised the alarm."

Onlookers brought one of the men to shore but could not revive him.

"The other man was plucked from the water by Port Stephens Water Police, however he also was unable to be revived," police said.

Investigators remain at the scene and will prepare a report for the coroner.