Two Rocks rescue hero dies

One of the two men who were rescued off Two Rocks on Monday has died in hospital.

A Joondalup Health Campus spokesman has confirmed that David Navin, 38, passed away this afternoon.

He said Mr Navin’s organs had been donated with his family’s permission.

Mr Navin’s fiancé, Ember O’Brien, issued a statement this afternoon, saying the tragedy of Mr Navin’s death was intensified by the fact they were due to be married later this month.

“The tragedy is only intensified by the fact that I and the world have lost such a beautiful person, that was already my heart and soul but was to become my husband in less than three weeks,” the statement said.

“The thought of never being able to have our planned child only adds to my pain.

“The only positive outcome I can see in this (which he always did) is that through his gift of organ donation five others will have a chance of life.”

Rescuers found Mr Navin floating face-up in his bright lifejacket, unconscious and badly injured after a frantic search involving three boats, helicopters and a long-range plane.

He was dragged from the water unconscious three hours after the boat he and his mate Ivan Hallisey, 36, had been fishing in sank about 5km off Two Rocks.

Water police have since praised Mr Navin’s bravery in diving under his sinking boat to try set off an EPIRB, which was the only way rescuers knew where the pair went into the water.

Mr Navin had been fighting for his life in Joondalup Health Campus’s intensive care unit until this afternoon.