Bodies of two men found on boat near Hobart after girl airlifted to hospital with mysterious illness
The bodies of two Launceston men have been found on board a boat moored near Hobart, a day after a young girl travelling on the same vessel, had to be airlifted to hospital for a medical condition.
The 58-year-old Newnham man and a 56-year-old Mowbray man, were found on a 10 metre cruiser vessel located at the Prince of Wales Bay, near the city's northern suburb of Derwent Park, on Monday morning.
The pair were discovered on the vessel moored at the Gepp Parade marina, by the boat owner around 8.30am.
There were no signs of external injuries and the possibility of a gas leak is being investigated as the cause.
The men who had just completed a 10 day trip on Tasmania's east coast, had also been holidaying with the owner and his seven-year-old daughter, who had to be rushed to hospital due to a medical condition on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Rob Gunton said the girl had to be rescued by air ambulance from Wineglass Bay in the Freycinet National Park on Sunday after falling ill.
The girl, who is understood to have suffered seizures, was airlifted to hospital along with her father.
After the girl was taken to hospital, the two men, sailed the boat back to Hobart and moored the vessel around 10pm.
"They spoke to the owner at 10 o'clock at night and indicated they'd just docked the boat at that point," Detective Inspector Gunton said.
He noted that both men had spent the night sleeping on the boat.
Their bodies were discovered by the owner of the boat, who brought breakfast to the marina on Monday morning, after they failed to answer their phones.
"He's obviously traumatised, two of his good friends are deceased," Detective Inspector Gunton said.
"It would appear to be a very tragic event."
Detective Inspector Gunton refused to say if the girl's medical condition was linked to the death of the two men.
The young girl has recovered and has been released from hospital.
Police are investigating a number of factors, including the possibility that fumes from a generator on board the boat contributed to the deaths.
A report is being prepared for the Coroner.
News break - January 11
