‘Tragic’: Man dies after boat capsized by large wave at La Perouse

A man has died and another has been taken to hospital after a boat capsized following a heavy wave in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

The two friends were fishing off Bear Island near La Perouse around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A huge wave capsized the boat and threw the men into the water.

A person on a jet ski managed to pull one of the 74-year-old men out of the water and onto shore.

There he was treated by paramedics and taken to Prince of Wales Hospital in a stable condition.

The other man, who has not yet been identified, was taken from the water by a Westpac Lifesaver helicopter and flown to the landing at the Anzac Parade at La Perouse.

Paramedics performed CPR on the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police believe the men were not wearing life jackets at the time.

“(The 74-year-old man) was staying afloat by clinging to debris from the boat and divers (civilian recreational divers) then went over to help him,” Detective Inspector Ryan Booker said.

He said the divers who helped rescue the 74-year-old man were ‘very brave’.

“They assisted police during the incident by helping to load that male onto a nearby jet ski and take him ashore for medical attention,” he said.

Inspector Booker described the incident as a tragedy.

“This is a tragic incident and a reminder to everyone to wear life jackets and check sea and weather conditions before setting off,” he said.

The boat was damaged and dismantled during the incident.

Chris Hibbard, who was fishing at the time, told the Sydney Morning Herald he saw the boat before it was capsized by the big wave.

“These waves really scared me. They were so strong. I can’t tell you how big they were,” he said.

“I’ve never seen a wave that big there. You couldn’t see land. They were so big.”

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or has footage of the boat to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.