25-03-08 - Coast chopper in dramatic rescue

The ENERGEX Helicopter was involved in a dramatic sea rescue yesterday after a fishing boat was hit by a "freak" wave off Moreton Island, catapulting four men into the ocean.

The four Brisbane men desparately clung to the upturned vessel in the rough seas but still had the presence of mind to activate a life-saving emergency beacon during the ordeal.

The distress beacon was picked up by AUSSAR satellites which contacted the ENERGEX Community Rescue Helicopter to rush to the scene.

The rescue helicopter homed in on the emergency signal and found the men clinging to the capsized boat.

Rescue crewman Dan King was winched down to the men and bravely jumped into the turbulent waters to help the men into a rescue strop.

They were taken one-by-one to a nearby reef that was exposed above the water.

Once all four men were on the reef, rescue chopper pilot Wayne Thompson landed on the reef and airlifted two men at a time to Cape Moreton Helipad.

Paramedic Mick Webster treated one of the men for a back injury before airlifting the 41-year-old to Princess Alexandria Hospital.

"This rescue was tough" said Mr King.

"The proximity of the reef made the swell unpredictable and we had no idea just how many people were involved in this incident.

"We're just happy that the men managed to activate the emergency beacon - it undoubtedly saved their lives today."

The four men were enjoying an afternoon fishing trip, approximately five nautical miles north of Cape Moreton, when the incident occurred at around 1pm yesterday afternoon.