The tragedy occurred in the waters of Beachport, South Australia. Photo: Wattle Range Council Facebook.
Three Coleambally men have been killed in a tragic boating accident off Beachport, a South Australian coastal town 300 km south-east of Adelaide.
Seven News has identified the men as Les DeMamiel, 74, Russell Fisher, 67, and John McKenzie, 65.
The alarm was raised at about 2:30 pm on Sunday (15 March), when the three men had not returned to shore after they had gone out fishing.
Police immediately launched a search of the area, with the assistance of Water Operations, PolAir, SES, and other aerial assets, drones and local boaties.
The three men were found deceased and their bodies have been recovered.
Riverina MP Michael McCormack said he was saddened by the news.
“As a member who has represented the close-knit Coleambally community, I know it would be feeling this loss immensely,” he posted on social media.
“Thoughts are with family, friends and loved ones.”
It has been reported that the three men were not wearing life jackets.
Last month, South Australian state coroner David Whittle said the law should be changed to increase protections for boat users. He recommended that anyone on a boat less than seven metres in length be required to wear a life jacket, instead of the current regulation of boats under 4.8 metres in length.
He made the recommendation after an inquest into the deaths of eight men in four separate boating incidents between March 2024 and January 2025.
South Australian Police thanked the emergency service personnel and members of the public who assisted in the search for the Coleambally men on the weekend.
Police will now prepare a report for the coroner and have also asked members of the public not to collect debris from the boat and leave it in situ for police to collect.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
