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Mystery remains after search fails to find any bodies in Queensland trawler wreckage

Queensland police have confirmed that no human remains have been found inside the salvaged trawler FV Dianne after inspecting the vessel at Bundaberg port.

Dianne was finally lifted onto dry land on Wednesday, four months after it sank off the coast of the Town of 1770 with the loss of six of the seven men on board.

Ruben McDornan was the sole survivor, while the bodies of 30-year-old Adam Hoffman and 45-year-old Ben Leahy were later located by police divers.

Recovery crews have not found any human remains in the wreck of a trawler, salvaged four months after it sunk off the Queensland coast with the loss of six men. Source: 7 News
Recovery crews have not found any human remains in the wreck of a trawler, salvaged four months after it sunk off the Queensland coast with the loss of six men. Source: 7 News

The remaining fishermen Eli Tonks, 39; Adam Bidner, 33; Zach Feeney, 28; and Chris Sammut, 34, are presumed to have perished.

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The bodies of 39-year-old Eli Tonks, 34-year-old Chris Sammut, 33-year-old Adam Bidner and 28-year-old Zach Feeney have not yet been recovered. Source: 7 News
The bodies of 39-year-old Eli Tonks, 34-year-old Chris Sammut, 33-year-old Adam Bidner and 28-year-old Zach Feeney have not yet been recovered. Source: 7 News
Ruben McDornan survived for 12 hours in rough seas until he was rescued by a passing yacht.
Ruben McDornan survived for 12 hours in rough seas until he was rescued by a passing yacht.

Disaster Victim Identification officers scoured the wreck on Thursday and Friday, but hopes for closure for the families of the missing men was not forthcoming.

Police have recovered a number of personal items from the vessel, Senior Sergeant Glenn Cameron told 7 News on Friday.

The FV Dianne was lifted out of the water at Bundaberg Port on Wednesday afternoon after being towed into port. Source: Queensland Police
The FV Dianne was lifted out of the water at Bundaberg Port on Wednesday afternoon after being towed into port. Source: Queensland Police

"The circumstances of what happened to the deceased who weren't located will form part of the investigation and be forwarded to the coroner to make a determination," Snr Sgt Cameron said.

Mystery still surrounds what caused the vessel to sink on October 16 last year, with investigators also scouring the wreck for any clue as to the cause of the disaster.

Investigations are continuing.