A boating venture on the Tweed River ended in tragedy on Saturday when the vessel capsized and a passenger died.
Police on the weekend said emergency services were called to the North Wall of the Tweed River about 6am Saturday after two people were seen clinging to the upturned hull of a 6.5m half-cabin runabout boat.
Representatives from the Tweed/Byron Police District, Tweed Heads Water Police, Marine Rescue, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, and Surf Life Savers launched a rescue mission and managed to retrieve both men from the water.
One of the men was taken to Tweed Heads Hospital as a precaution.
The other man had to be winched from the ocean by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew.
Police said he was taken to Duranbah Beach but was unable to be revived.
Officers said they were told the men had launched the boat from the Kennedy Drive boat ramp a short time earlier and were heading out across the bar when the boat capsized.
Initial inquiries showed neither man was wearing a life jacket, with investigations to continue.
Police said they’d prepare a report for the Coroner.
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