Tas:Fishermen drown after freak wave hits their boat

AAP General News (Australia)
04-23-2006
Tas:Fishermen drown after freak wave hits their boat

MELBOURNE, April 23 AAP - Three men drowned after their fishing boat was hit by a freak
wave and sank off Tasmania's south-east coast.

Tasmania Police said five people were on board a vessel when it went down off Eaglehawk
Neck on the Tasman Peninsula just after 1pm (AEST) today.

It is believed the men were fishing east of Cape Pillar when a large wave broke over
the stern of the boat, partially sinking it.

A police spokeswoman said all the occupants clung to the boat until it sank.

Emergency services, when called just after 1pm (AEST), were told the five were in the
water and another boat was going to their rescue.

"It is believed the vessel picked up all five people and took them to Pirates Bay,"

police spokeswoman Jodi De Cesare said.

It was unclear whether the three were dead by the time the vessel plucked them from the water.

Police used a rescue helicopter to take the two survivors to Royal Hobart Hospital
where they have been treated for minor injuries.

"The three deceased people are believed to have been in the water for some time," Ms
De Cesare said.

AAP sam/gfr/cjh/sd

KEYWORD: DROWNED NIGHTLEAD

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