Queensland father drowns despite son’s desperate efforts to keep him afloat after boat capsizes

A father-son fishing trip has ended in tragedy as their boat capsized off the coast of Mackay overnight.

Investigations into how the accident occurred have hit a snag, as crews failed to retrieve the stricken vessel in rough waters today.

William Parkins, 73, was fishing with son Darren, when their boat hit trouble off Bailey Island.

Inspector Ian Haughton said the father and son tried to bail water out of the small vessel as it began taking on water.

“A number of items in the boat took to one side, including the passengers, allowing water to enter the boat.

“Waves subsequently capsized the boat,” he said.

In a bid to save himself and his father, Darren eventually swam underwater and back into the sinking boat, to retrieve and activate the EPIRB.

According to RACQ CQ Rescue’s Naomi Noy, it was that emergency beacon which saved Darren’s life.

“It’s an absolute tragedy, but the one positive out of it is we’ve been able to save a life because they activated that EPIRB,” she said.

Darren worked tirelessly to keep his father afloat, but it was to no avail. Rescue crews said Darren was inconsolable when they arrived.

The RACQ CQ Rescue helicopter winched Darren to safety, but crews needed to make the tough choice, to leave the body of his father with the vessel.

With guidance from the rescue chopper, Police and Volunteer Marine Rescue crews went back to the vessel later that night to retrieve William’s body, returning to Mackay Harbour in the early hours of the morning.

“It’s a tragic incident,” Insp Haughton said.

This morning VMR crews were back on the water to retrieve the stricken boat, but Duty Skipper Darryl Jenkins said they were not successful.

“Due to the rough conditions, it made it hard to find the vessel,” he said.

Crews will try again to locate the boat tomorrow.