‘Our hearts still break’: Coroner urges safety upgrades after father and son lifesavers drown

When father and son lifesavers Ross and Andrew Powell died after their boat flipped as they tried to save a tourist in rough seas near the Twelve Apostles on Easter Sunday three years ago, they left behind a devastated community.

Now a coroner’s finding into the deaths of the two men, 71 and 32, may change how marine rescues are conducted along the dangerous stretch of surf coast.

Father and son lifesavers Ross, 71, and Andrew Powell, 32.Credit:Life Saving Victoria

The pair were attempting to save a 30-year-old Singaporean tourist who had been standing in shallow water when he was swept 100 metres out to sea off Sherbrook beach, on Victoria’s south-west coast, on April 21, 2019.

Rescuers were able to winch the tourist and another surf lifesaver to safety, but the Powells were both knocked unconscious when their surf lifesaving boat overturned and could not be saved.

In written findings published this week, Victorian Deputy State Coroner Caitlin English found that as the tourist struggled in rough surf awaiting rescue, a Parks Victoria officer arrived and threw him a personal flotation device over the edge of the cliff.

English said this “almost certainly” extended his time frame of survival and she recommended Parks Victoria install life rings or rescue devices around cliffs near treacherous beaches to assist with rescues.

A helicopter carries out the rescue operation.Credit:Ian McCauley

She also called on Parks Victoria to install multilingual signs along the Port Campbell coastline to warn tourists of the risk of rough waters.

“I acknowledge the impact of this tragedy on the Port Campbell community and responding emergency personnel. I commend each of the volunteers and responding emergency personnel for their heroic actions on this tragic day,” English said.

The Powells and another surf lifesaver who survived the ordeal, Phil Younis, should also be nominated for bravery honours, the coroner found.

“While Australian-born beach users have the dangers and risks of swimming in unpatrolled beaches continually drilled into them from a young age, many tourists or new arrivals have no such knowledge or appreciation of how treacherous our waters can be.

“They subsequently not only risk their own lives when entering the water, but they risk the lives of their rescuers.”

Both father and son were life-long members of the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club and prominent figures in the local dairy farming industry.

In a statement from the men’s family, provided to the coroner, they described the pair as dignified, responsible men who always had a good sense of what was right.

“They were the type of people that would always do the right thing, even if nobody was watching. Ross and Andy’s lives were enriched by the contribution they made to society. And our community was so much richer for their contribution.”

The treacherous coastline near Port CampbellCredit:Zach Hope

Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club president Scott McKenzie said the tight-knit community was still reeling from the loss of the Powells and that rough Easter surf was proving to be a painful reminder of what occurred in 2019.

McKenzie said at 12.30pm on Monday, surf lifesaving clubs from across the state would pause for a minute’s silence to honour the lives of their two mates.

He also took the opportunity to urge the public to heed safety messages and only swim between the flags at patrolled beaches this Easter long weekend.

“People still don’t appreciate how dangerous this part of the coastline is. If all the recommendations out of the report can be addressed, then hopefully we never ever see a situation like this ever again,” he said.

An emergency helicopter winches a person out of the water on the day of the incident.Credit: Ian McCauley

“The community here has been incredibly supportive and resilient, but with the big swells we see at Easter time, it’ll be back in people’s minds.”

As part of an investigation into the men’s death, Life Saving Victoria also conducted an independent review and compiled a further 32 recommendations, acknowledged by the coroner. Of those, 28 have already been implemented.

The recommendations included that the organisation investigate and implement suitable lifejackets for marine rescue vessel operators so, if they end up injured or unconscious in the sea, they remained afloat with their head above water.

The review also found Life Saving Victoria should investigate head protection for vessel operators that also allowed for adequate radio communication.

Coronial documents show a Life Saving Victoria panel will now reconvene to review the recommendations.

Life Saving Victoria president Paul James welcomed the findings and said they would ensure the organisation continued to draw on the lessons learnt from the tragic incident.

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