Fisherman found dead off Broome’s Demco Beach
A fishing trip in the North West involving two friends turned into disaster when one of them became the victim of an incoming tide and drowned in the Kimberley tourist town of Broome.
Police said they walked out to rocks about 200 metres from Demco Beach on the low tide sometime in the early hours of yesterday morning and a friend alerted police a few hours later at 8.45am.
Broome police Senior Sergeant Kevin Bearcroft said the 39-year-old dead man was from Broome and that the two ran into trouble when they decided to swim to shore.
“They both struggled on the way in – the first guy made it back to shore and then upon him turning around he could not see his friend anywhere in the water anymore,” he said.
“They have walked out on the low tide to rocks and while fishing, they were unaware the tide had come in around them.”
A large search for the man was then launched involving a fixed-wing aircraft, Broome Volunteer Sea Rescue, a jet ski from the Broome Surf Life Saving Club and police officers using their own boats.
The man was found dead in the water about 1pm yesterday, within the designated search area.
Sen. Sgt Bearcroft said the man’s family has been advised and a report was being prepared for the coroner.
“We are urging anyone with information that might assist to coronial investigation to get in touch with police,” he said.
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