Son's desperate swim could not save parents after their boat sank off Coral Bay
A son made a desperate swim to get help for his parents who were thrown off a boat off Coral Bay, in WA’s North West, after a big wave caused it to capsize.
Tragically the retired couple was found dead after a search on Wednesday morning.
Their son and daughter in law, who are aged in their 30s, were fishing on the boat with Bob and Jan Oostryck, who own a holiday home in Coral Bay, when two massive waves struck.
Their six-metre boat overturned near reef off Maud’s Landing, leaving no time for a distress call.
The younger couple swam three kilometres to shore and walked another six kilometres to raise the alarm on Tuesday evening but it was too late, Nine News Perth’s Renae Henry reports.
The couple's son and daughter in law spent hours in the water.Credit:Nine News Perth
A massive search was launched the following morning including a jet, police and marine rescue, but for Bob and Jan Oostryck were found dead just after 8am.
It is not clear weather the couple was wearing a life vest. Residents of Coral Bay have paid tribute to the Oostrycks, saying they were “some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet”.
“They went above and beyond to help, determined to build a more beautiful community that everyone could visit and love as much as them,” others said.
The retired couple had just bought a new block of land to be closer to grandchildren.