Two of the three fisherman who tragically died after their fishing boat capsized off the coast of South Australia have been identified.
Five people were onboard the ill-fated boat when it was capsized about 4pm on Monday, Danny Eckert, his 13-year-old son, brother Tom, father Paul, and the boat’s skipper who is yet to be identified.
A frantic water search was launched on Monday night after the boat and its five occupants did not return to Port Lincoln.
The bodies of Tom, Paul and the skipper were found throughout Tuesday while Danny and his son were found near Spilsby Island.
They had clung to a reef off the island for about 10 hours before a police rescue helicopter spotted them about 2am on Tuesday.
The pair were winched to safety and taken to Port Lincoln Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Two of the three fisherman who died after their boat was struck by a massive wave on Monday night have been identified (pictured, Sea Rescue)
The bodies of Tom Eckert (left), his father Paul Eckert (right) and the boat’s skipper, who is yet to be identified, were found in the water by emergency crews on Tuesday
They were treated for conditions related to hypothermia as a result of exposure to the cold, Superintendent Paul Bahr told reporters on Tuesday.
‘The boat itself has also been located and is on its way back to Port Lincoln,’ Supt Bahr said.
‘That will be offloaded later today and will be subject to further forensic examination and any examination the coroner may require.’
The fishing party comprised family members and close friends, and aside from the one rescued teen were all adults.
Relatives of the Eckerts are understood to be travelling to Port Lincoln to support Tom’s wife.
Professor Danny Eckert (pictured) and his 13-year-old son were found with non-life threatening injuries having clung to a reef off of Spilsby Island for about 10 hours
The fifth and final fisherman was found dead about 2pm on Tuesday
Police were alerted after the five-person crew didn’t return to shore on Monday, leading to their capsized boat (pictured) being found near Spilsby Island, off the coast of Port Lincoln
The two rescued anglers told police their boat was swamped by a wave about 4pm on Monday, overturning the vessel and throwing all aboard into the water.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched after family members of the crew alerted police about their non-return just after 8.30pm on Monday night.
As well as the police helicopter, police water operations, local Sea Rescue vessels, a Challenger jet plane and P&O cruise ship the Pacific Explorer took part in the search.
Police will now prepare reports for the coroner.
