Two rescued after boat capsizes in Top End

Two men have been winched to safety in a difficult rescue operation complicated by nightfall after their boat capsized in a remote corner of the Top End.

The men, locals from the Port Keats area, had scrambled to shore after their boat was caught on a rock by the turning tide and overturned.

They managed to activate a distress beacon which led a rescue helicopter to them on a small tributary of the Fitzmaurice River, about 300km southwest of Darwin, late on Saturday afternoon.

They were trapped beneath escarpments on both sides and it was decided a difficult helicopter winch rescue was the only practical option when the CareFlight helicopter reached the scene after dark.

The men had managed to light a fire and place torches as well as establish radio communications.

After directing the men to an accessible high point, the chopper's crew used night vision goggles to carefully winch the men to safety.

They were then flown back to Darwin.