A British surfer has died after his surfboard snapped in stormy weather off the coast of Victoria, Australia.
Police were called to Frankston Beach, about 45km south-east of Melbourne, on Wednesday afternoon after receiving reports two men were in trouble in the water.
A police helicopter arrived within 15 minutes and assisted the two men in the water, winching them back to shore.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, both men were unresponsive and neither could be revived.
Police believe the 36-year-old British national was surfing when powerful gusts, whipping the waves up to 130 km/h, caused his board to snap.
His friend 43-year-old friend valiantly jumped in the water to help his friend, but also got into trouble.
Neither man has been formally identified and police are yet to notify their families. A report of each man will be prepared for the coroner.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Victoria Police inspector Melissa Nixon said the surfer had “minimal experience”.
“It appears he may have only been learning to surf,” she said.
“His friend obviously thought he was in distress and jumped in to help him.
“The weather conditions yesterday were obviously not appropriate to be in the water surfing, whether you’re experienced or not.
“It is a risk that you take that you put other people in danger.”
She added that a police tactical operator who was involved in rescuing the men from the ocean was treated for minor injuries in hospital following the incident.
“He’s had to go in twice,” Ms Nixon said. “As I said, they’re very experienced. They do this often.
“Do not go swimming or surfing in conditions like this when we know that it’s going to be treacherous conditions.
“You put yourself at risk. You put people that jump in to help you at risk. You put the emergency services at risk.”
