Men injured after boat hit by whale

Whale Watching
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - June 1, 2021. The Humpack Highway is officially opened for business off Port Stephens, north of Newcsastle. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

Two men are in hospital after their boat was struck by a whale off the coast of West Australia.

Emergency crews were called following reports a boat had been struck by a whale 15-18km off the coast of Kalbarri shortly before 7pm on Tuesday.

The Water Police Co-ordination Centre in North Fremantle deployed DFES Marine Rescue Kalbarri to the scene, who escorted the vessel back to shore.

Whale Watching
The two men were in a boat when a whale reportedly struck the vessel on Tuesday night. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

The two men – aged 69 and 39 – who were on board had been injured during the incident.

They were both treated by St John WA and taken to Kalbarri Hospital.

The 69-year-old man is believed to have received serious injuries, which might require him to be flown to Royal Perth Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for further treatment.

A Department of Transport spokesman said officers were aware of the incident and will make enquiries with the people involved.