Frankston Beach, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Dan Miller // Unsplash
A beginner surfer and a friend who attempted to rescue him both succumbed to harsh conditions on a Victoria beach this week.
The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at Victoria’s Frankston Beach, 28 miles southeast of Melbourne, Australia. The area was experiencing extremely high winds, with gusts up to 80mph, which prompted police to urge the public to stay out of the water, as the BBC reports.
Despite the warnings, a surfer, 36, ventured out into the ocean, while his friend, 43, looked on from the beach. Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon told the BBC that the surfer had “minimal experience,” and may have been just learning. “The weather conditions yesterday were obviously not appropriate to be in the water surfing, whether you’re experienced or not,” she said.
The surfer began to struggle after his surfboard broke. In response, his friend jumped in to help. Soon after, police responded to reports of the two men struggling in the water. Fifteen minutes later, a helicopter arrived and winched the men to shore. Neither was able to be revived.
A police officer who retrieved the men was also hospitalized, but later released.
