Tragic end to search for missing swimmer

Bruny Island is located off the coast of Tasmania, 83km from the capital, Hobart. Credit: TasWeekend.
Bruny Island is located off the coast of Tasmania, 83km from the capital, Hobart. Credit: TasWeekend.

The body of a 70-year-old man has been pulled from waters off Bruny Island in Tasmania.

A search effort begun shortly after 5pm on Thursday when beachgoers reported that a man in his 70s had vanished from sight at Kingfisher Beach.

It is understood the man drowned while attempting to “swim out to his dinghy” roughly 200 meters from the shore.

Police, emergency services raced to the scene in South Bruny with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter arriving within 10 minutes of the call-out.

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The search operation ended an hour after the man was reported missing. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The man’s body was spotted an hour later before 6pm, bringing a tragic end to the search and rescue operation.

In a statement about the incident, Tasmanian Police said they “would like to thank members of the public who assisted (emergency services) at the scene”.

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner.