Police search Brisbane River after man slips into water at Jindalee

Police and emergency services have resumed the search for a young man who slipped and fell into the Brisbane River at the Jindalee boat ramp early on Sunday and failed to resurface.

Acting Inspector Shane Thow said the 23-year-old from “a southern suburb of Brisbane” disappeared about 5.30am during a “social engagement of some form” on the pontoon.

“We do know that he was down on the pontoon with family and friends and that he’s slipped off that pontoon,” Thow said.

Initial reports suggested the man fell into the water and was quickly swept into the middle of the river by the strong current.

“He’s not a strong swimmer,” Thow said.

Acting Inspector Shane Thow speaking at Jindalee boat ramp after a man disappeared in the Brisbane River on Sunday.Credit: Nine News

“A couple of his mates actually tried to help him, but he slipped below the waters before they got to him,” Thow said.

A man in his 20s was taken to Queen Elizabeth II Hospital with shoulder injuries after trying to save the missing man.

Members of the public using their private boats joined the search alongside Queensland Fire Department swift-water rescue teams, police divers and the water police on Sunday. The police PolAir helicopter also joined the search effort, flying low over the river.

Water police, State Emergency Service volunteers, and PolAir resumed the search early on Monday morning.

“This morning’s search is focusing on the river and shoreline upstream from Seventeen Mile Rocks,” police said in a statement.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon as the search continued, Thow said he was unsure whether the young man and his friends had been drinking alcohol at the time.

“It is just an unfortunate accident that he’s slipped in,” he said. “There’s no indication that they were mucking around.”

Thow said the man’s family was being offered support, and police were keen to hear from anyone who may have seen what happened.

“The family are obviously struggling at this point in time, as well to be expected,” he said.

The incident came days after Queensland Police launched a homicide investigation into the death of Crystal Beale, whose body was found in the Brisbane River downstream from Jindalee at Yeronga.

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