Sunshine Coast: Queensland man dead after fishing charter boat capsizes, washing up on beach after mayday call

A man has died and four others have been treated by paramedics after a fishing charter boat capsized at the dangerous Mooloolah River mouth on the Sunshine Coast early Wednesday morning.

Authorities said the vessel, believed to have been a fishing charter, overturned just after 5.20am with five people on board. A mayday call had been made to Mooloolaba Coast Guard minutes earlier at 5.19am.

Paramedics treated four people at the scene.

Police confirmed the tragedy, saying the boat’s captain could not be saved. Another passenger, a man in his 60s, was taken to the hospital with chest pains while three others were assessed at the scene.

Surf lifesavers from the Alexandra Headlands Surf Life Saving Club, who were out rowing their surf boat at the time, were among the first to respond. They spotted a man clinging to an esky without a life jacket, pulled him to safety, and then returned to rescue others perched on the overturned vessel, Sunrise reported.

Tragically, the individual whom we believe was the captain of the boat has passed away. Another man in his 60s has been taken to the hospital with chest pains. But what was suddenly meant to be a beautiful outing has turned into such an absolute tragedy for the people on board.

The vessel later washed ashore near the “Cheese Block” along the Mooloolaba Spit — an area popular with morning walkers, swimmers and bodysurfers.

The harbour remains a critical gateway for the Sunshine Coast’s fishing fleet, tourism operators and recreational boaters.