Five people killed after two boats collide on Sydney Harbour

A fishing trawler and an aluminium half-cabin runabout collided about 200m off Bradleys Head, near Taronga Park Zoo, about 2.40am.

The impact tore apart the stern of the smaller, aluminium vessel.

It appears that 14 people, all aged between 18 and 31, were aboard the smaller vessel which belonged to a Sydney shipbuilding company.

Five were killed in the crash with the remainder being rescued by fishermen in a nearby dinghy.

Police said the fishermen ferried the bodies and survivors to Taronga Park Wharf.

Two victims have spinal injuries with one in a critical condition.

Nine people are seriously injured following the accident between the two boats off Bradley’s Head on the north shore of Sydney Harbour.
Three of the survivors were seriously injured with one listed as critical.

That man, a 30-year-old, has head injuries.

An 18-year-old woman, the only female on board, is in a serious condition, along with a 31-year-old man.

A spokeswoman for Royal North Shore Hospital said they were in a unit described as “resuscitation”, which was similar to intensive care.

The remaining injured, aged 31, 22, 24, 30, 21 and 19, are listed as stable with minor injuries.

One person had to be airlifted from the scene and eight others were taken to Royal North Shore hospital in Sydney.

Acting Inspector Tony Bear, who was one of the first on the scene, said passersby helped in the rescue.

“Members of the public have come to the assistance of the victims and, as a result, coordinated effort between all emergency services have transported those people to Taronga Park wharf,” Insp Bear said.

Another report said that one of the vessels was virtually cut in the back, while the other escaped serious damage.

“It would appear all the victims have come from the one vessel,” Insp Bear said.
Officers were unsure why 14 people were aboard the smaller aluminium vessel.

Ambulance officers who helped the survivors said all crew were “relatively young”.

The boat sustained serious damage to its stern.

It appeared as though the trawler struck from behind and then mounted it, buckling the cabin.

Police cordoned off the Taronga Zoo wharf as water police and Polair searched the water to confirm all had been found.

The trawler and the shipping repair vessel were later moved to Balmain Water Police where the victims’ bodies were unloaded.

John Wilson from Ambulance Services NSW said five of the injured were able to walk.

“We got the call at about 2.34am (AEST) to an accident between two boats just off Goat Island and the situation at the moment is that we have five deceased persons,” he told reporters at the scene.

“We’ve transported nine to Royal North Shore Hospital.

“Of that nine we’ve got five walking, we’ve got two with spinal injuries and one other with injuries unknown at this stage.”

The area is now a crime scene and a search is under way between Bradley’s Head and Goat Island.
Sydney Water Police are heading the investigation.