Person found dead in Corio Bay near Griffin Gully Pier, another rescued after dinghy capsized

A late-night boat trip turned into a nightmare for two mates when their dinghy capsized in rough conditions, leaving one man dead while the other spent hours on a nearby yacht waiting for rescue.

A man has drowned in Corio Bay and another has been rescued after their small dinghy capsized in rough conditions on Tuesday night.

Geelong police were called to The Esplanade around 6.15am on Wednesday after a body was discovered in waters near Griffin Gully Pier by passers-by.

The Geelong Advertiser understands that after the dinghy flipped, one man swam to safety and clamoured onto a nearby yacht, while his mate sadly drowned.

Drowning at Geelong

Coroners remove a body from the scene of a drowning in Geelong. Picture: Alan Barber

The man on the yacht is believed to have shivered through the night, with the pair’s dinghy capsizing before midnight.

Victoria Police spokesman Senior Constable Tim Bail said while police were attending the scene, he let off a flare in distress.

“He was subsequently rescued by the Coast Guard,” Constable Bail said.

Drowning at Geelong

The man was assessed by paramedics at 6.30am, before being taken to Geelong hospital for further observation but has since been released.

It is understood that the two men are members of the Western Beach Boat Club but their identities remain unknown.

The small dinghy was towed from the scene around 10am.

A dinghy is towed at the scene of a drowning on Wednesday morning near Griffin Gully Pier off The Esplanade at Western Beach. Picture: Laura Placella

Officers remained on scene around 11am and had cordoned off part of the area.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Originally published as Person found dead in Corio Bay near Griffin Gully Pier, another rescued after dinghy capsized