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Major Search Underway for Missing Boatie Off Hope Island

Police will resume coordinated land, sea and air searches after an unoccupied speedboat was found in Coombabah Creek.

Overview

  • Queensland Police launched a multi-unit search after a man was heard calling for help near the Boykambil Esplanade boat ramp and his unoccupied speedboat was found about 20 minutes later in Coombabah Creek.
  • Search teams that have been deployed include Marine Rescue crews, water police, the Polair aircraft, a rescue helicopter and a police dive team, and searches continued into the early morning before resuming at first light.
  • Authorities describe the missing person as a 55-year-old caucasian man about 183 cm tall with short grey hair and said he may have been wearing a high-vis vest.
  • Police have appealed for public help and asked anyone with information to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
  • Officials say the man lives on a sailboat in the Broadwater and had been working on a small tinnie that broke down, and the investigation will keep searching the shoreline and waterways for signs of him.