ID :
78857
Mon, 09/07/2009 - 18:08
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/78857
The shortlink copeid
Search to resume for missing Irishman
The search for a missing Irishman who fell off a cruise boat into the Brisbane River
at the weekend will resume on Tuesday.
The parents of the 23-year-old man, so far identified only as Shane, are flying out
from Ireland.
It is believed Shane was sharing a romantic moment with a 26-year-old woman on the
Lady Brisbane when they overbalanced and fell into the river about 10.25pm (AEST) on
Saturday near the Hale Street Link at Milton.
The woman was quickly rescued but Shane, who has been in Australia for 18 months and
cannot swim, did not resurface.
A police spokeswoman said a water police vessel would continue the search between
the Story Bridge and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge on Tuesday.
Police will also search both banks of the river on foot.
Brisbane Cruises director Jim Kelly said Shane's parents were expected to arrive in
Brisbane by Tuesday evening.
"The crew and everyone was in shock ... we can't plan to rescue someone who doesn't
resurface," he said.
"If any of our crew did see someone going down with their hands up, it would be a
big temptation for them to jump in and save them.
"But it was just so deep and murky."
He said after an initial thorough police search, which also involved CityCats, local
charter boats and an infra-red equipped helicopter, he now held grave fears for the
young man.
"When you do a somersault underwater, you can get disorientated," he said.
"If you panic and take in water and lose your orientation, it's a nightmare."
Mr Kelly said Brisbane Cruises had not had an overboard incident like this since
three patrons intentionally dived off the boat and swam to shore 15 years ago.
"Any person travelling on the water has to treat it with respect," he said.
"When we see people sitting on the ledge we tell them to get off, and even gave this
group an extra safety brief at the start of the night."
As a result of the accident, many of the Lady Brisbane's crew are undergoing
counselling, he said.
"My head is like a brick at the moment, just catering for a lack of sleep and
thoughts of the missing person's friends and relatives," Mr Kelly said.
"The staff are devastated."
at the weekend will resume on Tuesday.
The parents of the 23-year-old man, so far identified only as Shane, are flying out
from Ireland.
It is believed Shane was sharing a romantic moment with a 26-year-old woman on the
Lady Brisbane when they overbalanced and fell into the river about 10.25pm (AEST) on
Saturday near the Hale Street Link at Milton.
The woman was quickly rescued but Shane, who has been in Australia for 18 months and
cannot swim, did not resurface.
A police spokeswoman said a water police vessel would continue the search between
the Story Bridge and the Eleanor Schonell Bridge on Tuesday.
Police will also search both banks of the river on foot.
Brisbane Cruises director Jim Kelly said Shane's parents were expected to arrive in
Brisbane by Tuesday evening.
"The crew and everyone was in shock ... we can't plan to rescue someone who doesn't
resurface," he said.
"If any of our crew did see someone going down with their hands up, it would be a
big temptation for them to jump in and save them.
"But it was just so deep and murky."
He said after an initial thorough police search, which also involved CityCats, local
charter boats and an infra-red equipped helicopter, he now held grave fears for the
young man.
"When you do a somersault underwater, you can get disorientated," he said.
"If you panic and take in water and lose your orientation, it's a nightmare."
Mr Kelly said Brisbane Cruises had not had an overboard incident like this since
three patrons intentionally dived off the boat and swam to shore 15 years ago.
"Any person travelling on the water has to treat it with respect," he said.
"When we see people sitting on the ledge we tell them to get off, and even gave this
group an extra safety brief at the start of the night."
As a result of the accident, many of the Lady Brisbane's crew are undergoing
counselling, he said.
"My head is like a brick at the moment, just catering for a lack of sleep and
thoughts of the missing person's friends and relatives," Mr Kelly said.
"The staff are devastated."
