Overview
- The victims were identified as Les DeMamiel, 74, Russell Fisher, 67, and John McKenzie, 65, longtime friends from the Riverina/Coleambally region of New South Wales.
- An immediate multi‑agency search began about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and a civilian pilot spotted an overturned boat between Beachport and South End before crews recovered the three bodies late that night.
- Investigators salvaged a seven‑metre Bar Crusher and debris near Beachport and asked the public not to collect items from the shore because they may be evidence.
- Police said lifejackets were on board but apparently not worn, and friends reported Fisher could not swim due to a past spinal injury.
- Authorities opened an investigation, will prepare a report for the coroner, and are assessing conflicting accounts of sea conditions and whether local warnings were heeded.