Three dead, search underway after boat flips during rescue near Byron Bay

Three people died and four others were pulled from the water with injuries. Photo / Getty Images

Three have died and four others have been rescued after a rescue boat flipped while trying to assist a struggling yacht near Byron Bay, New South Wales.

A distress call went out about 6pm on Monday after a yacht ran aground at the break wall in South Ballina.

When the marine rescue team arrived, the conditions were so choppy the emergency boat flipped.

Three have died and four others were rescued, police said.

The four rescued were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said they were yet to confirm how many people were on the yacht, and are searching for any others.

“It’s believed the yacht has now sunk,” police said.

“Additional assistance will be provided by the AMSAR Challenger jet and Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Lismore.”

Witnesses said conditions were dark and there was a large 5m swell in the water at the time of the boating tragedy, making it difficult for rescue crews to assist.

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