Daring rescue after boat erupts in flames

NewsWire
·1-min read
Two people have been rescued after a boat burst into flames in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay sending black plumes of smoke into the sky. Picture: Nine
Two people have been rescued after a boat burst into flames in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay, sending black plumes of smoke into the sky. Picture: Nine

Two people have been rescued after a boat burst into flames in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay, sending black plumes of smoke into the sky.

Emergency services were called to St Kilda shortly after midday following reports a motor cruiser was giving off smoke.

The two men aboard, a 61-year-old Neerim South man and 59-year-old Merricks man, jumped into the water before the boat was engulfed.

Nearby Army personnel leapt into action and brought the pair to safety, having been in the area for training.

Two people have been rescued after a boat burst into flames in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay sending black plumes of smoke into the sky. Picture: Nine
Two people have been rescued after a boat burst into flames in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay, sending black plumes of smoke into the sky. Picture: Nine
Two people have been rescued after a boat burst into flames in Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay sending black plumes of smoke into the sky. Picture: Nine
A Victorian Ambulance helicopter was brought in after a boat erupted into flames. Picture: Nine

The men were transferred by nearby police and border force vessels to Williamstown Pier, where they were checked over by paramedics.

Both men had a lifejacket on at the time of the incident and were returned to shore uninjured.

Victoria Police’s Marine Investigation Unit will now probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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