A volunteer crew from Marine Rescue Point Danger has rescued five people whose outrigger canoe capsized off the Tweed River entrance this morning (Sunday).
Just after 10am, a member of the public near the base alerted radio operators that they had spotted an overturned vessel.
Point Danger 30 on the scene within five minutes to pull the five canoeists – all of whom were wearing lifejackets – from the water to safety.
After being transported to the unit’s boat shed up the Tweed River and undergoing medical checks, all five were reported to be in need of no further medical treatment.
The outrigger has since washed up on the beach south of the river entrance and will be recovered by the owners.
MRNSW Northern Rivers Regional Controller Stephen Reading congratulated the unit members on a swift and professional response to the emergency.
‘The immediate activation to this incident has resulted in a great outcome for the canoeists, who had also taken the sensible safety precaution of wearing lifejackets for their morning run,’ he said.
‘These five could have been in a far worse situation had they not been wearing lifejackets. Our crew was on the scene incredibly quickly but minutes can mean the difference between life and death on the water.
‘This is another reminder for everyone taking to the water on any kind of vessel that lifejackets save lives.’
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