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Father and son remembered as heroes after drowning in 'treacherous' rescue

Two volunteer surf lifesaving rescuers believed to be father and son have died in Victoria while rescuing a tourist in "treacherous" swells.

A 30-year-old man was wading at the mouth of the Sherbrook River at Port Campbell, off the state’s Great Ocean Road, when he got into difficulty about 10.40am on Sunday.

Two rescuers drowned after their boat flipped trying to help a tourist who landed in trouble in waters off Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.
Two rescuers have drowned after their boat flipped trying to help a tourist who landed in trouble after wading into waters off Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Source: Nine News

A rescue boat was deployed to help the man, but the boat flipped in the surf, throwing the three rescuers into the ocean.

Two of the rescuers, men aged 32 and 71, died.

The third rescuer and the tourist were both winched to the hospital via an emergency helicopter.

The surviving rescuer has serious injuries, while the tourist is in a stable condition.

Two rescuers drowned after their boat flipped trying to help a tourist who landed in trouble in waters off Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.
A boat deployed to assist the troubled swimmer flipped in the surf and threw the three rescuers into the water. Source: Nine News

Volunteer lifesavers described as ‘heroes’

An emotional Lifesaving Victoria president Paul James said through tears the rescuers were "highly experienced and long-serving members of the Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club", describing them as heroes.

"They ventured out as a group of three rescuers in a six-metre rigid hull inflatable boat. For whatever reason, that boat's gotten into difficulty," he told reporters on Sunday.

Through tears, an emotional Lifesaving Victoria president Paul James described the rescuers as heroes. Source: 7NEWS Melbourne
Through tears, an emotional Lifesaving Victoria president Paul James described the rescuers as heroes. Source: 7NEWS Melbourne

"It's just terrible, it's heartbreaking.

"[The water was] very dangerous, I understand the boat was operating in a two-metre swell - a very high swell - and we know it is very treacherous down there and not a place to be swimming at all."

"These brave people, these heroes, have gone out to try to help."

Mr James said he believed the rescuers were wearing full personal protection, including life jackets.

He asked swimmers to be safe for the rest of the long weekend.

"Just please be safe out there. Don't put anyone at risk trying to save you," Mr James said.

"It kills me to think that people could end up injured or worse as a result of trying to help others.

"Our thoughts are with the family and the community down there."

Minister for Water Lisa Neville said an investigation would be undertaken following the incident.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy and my thoughts are with the two victims' family and friends during this terribly sad time," she said in a statement.

"These individuals selflessly volunteered to keep people safe and devastatingly, they've lost their lives doing that."

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

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