Frantic Triple 0 call after nine people, mostly kids, fell overboard from their dinghy and into croc-infested waters
- A dinghy with nine people capsized in croc-infested waters in Far North QLD
- The boat was carrying mostly children when the passengers went overboard
- Passengers were rescued in the dark by locals before they were swept out to sea
Emergency operators were on the end of a frantic Triple 0 call after nine people, mostly children, fell overboard and into croc-infested waters.
The dinghy capsized in the Watson River near Aurukun in Cape York, Far North Queensland, at about 8pm.
Peter Graham, the officer in charge of the Gulf of Carpentaria Volunteer Marine Rescue Queensland (VMRQ) team, said crews rushed to the scene.
Emergency operators were on the end of a frantic Triple 0 call after nine people, mostly children, fell overboard and into croc-infested waters (stock image)
‘Water police on Thursday Island contacted Weipa VRM and they were tasked to ”get down there now”,’ he told Cairns Post.
The nine passengers were rescued by locals before they were swept out to sea and ahead of crews arriving.
‘By the time the crew mustered and had the vessel ready to go with everything they needed, they were told to stand down,’ Mr Graham said.
Mr Graham was in awe of the speedy response in the darkness.
‘It’s croc central there, and it’s amazing they picked all of the kids up in the dark without any getting swept out,’ he said.
He said there were nine crew members ready to go but there was a ‘sigh of relief’ when they were told those who had fallen overboard had been recovered safely.
The dinghy capsized in the Watson River near Aurukun in Cape York, Far North Queensland, at about 8pm
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