Qld police divers join search for missing surf-skier Jordan Kelly

Queensland police have obtained a new piece of evidence that could prove helpful in locating a man who has been missing for four days.

As the search for missing 26-year-old surf-skier Jordan Kelly enters its fourth day, police have revealed data stored on his friend’s smartwatch has proved crucial in honing in their operation.

It comes as police divers entered the search for the missing man on Tuesday.

Mr Kelly was last seen on Saturday, when he and a friend, Jack McDonald, went for a two-hour paddle at South Passage Bar on North Stradbroke Island.

As Mr Kelly’s family are supported by the family of another young man who disappeared from Moreton Bay last month, police say they tapped into GPS data on Mr McDonald’s smartwatch to hone in on specific patches of the water.

A full-scale air, sea and land search was launched by Queensland Police to find Mr Kelly. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The pair set off at 10.30am, and were expected to finish by 12.30pm. But, due to hazardous surf conditions, Mr McDonald’s ski began to take on water and for hours he and Mr Kelly stayed afloat holding on to the undamaged ski.

Eventually, Mr Kelly lost grip of the ski due to exhaustion and the pair became separated.

Mr McDonald was found at 8pm on Saturday night after paddling to Amity Point Wharf, and was treated for hypothermia.

But, Mr McDonald had been wearing a GPS watch when the pair struck trouble, helping police narrow down the search area.

“We’ve been able to download that … and it’s been able to show their journey while they were on the water, and that’s sort of narrowed our search area down,” Senior Sergeant Gray told ABC Radio.

Police and volunteers have been searching Stradbroke and Moreton Islands. Picture: Liam Kidston.

A full-scale land, sea and air search commenced, and was ongoing on Tuesday.

A Queensland Police spokesman confirmed to NCA NewsWire that 11 vessels were out on the water on Tuesday, as well as a helicopter, two drones and the police dive unit, while a police all-terrain vehicle was on Moreton Island.

External agencies including Surf Life Saving Queensland, and Parks and Wildlife were assisting with the search on both Stradbroke and Moreton Islands.

On Sunday, Acting Senior Sergeant Mitch Gray said the team became increasingly concerned that there wouldn’t be a “happy ending” as the days went on.

Jordan Kelly and his mate Jack McDonald were swept out in rough surf conditions while surf-skiing on Saturday morning.

Neither of the men had been wearing life jackets, and Senior Sergeant Gray confirmed Mr Kelly’s ski had been located.

Senior Sergeant Gray said they had yet to find Mr Kelly’s paddle.

“If any members of the public find a black carbon fibre paddle we’d be interested in that,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday.

Mr McDonald has also revisited the area where he last saw his friend to assist with the search, but is said to be “doing it tough”.

“Being there all the way to the end and having to make that decision to paddle back to land without him, I can’t imagine what that would feel like,” Senior Sergeant Gray said.

Shannon Riley has joined the search for missing surf-skier Jordan Kelly on North Stradbroke Island. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Kelly’s family raced to Stradbroke from New Zealand on Sunday, and have been supported by the family of Trent Riley – who went missing nearby in April.

Trent Riley is believed to have fallen off his tinnie in Moreton Bay last month.

Trent’s brother, Shannon, said he and his family were going to do whatever they could to help Mr Kelly’s family out.

“I know it’s tough to get to Straddie, but if you can … help out,” he said in a video.

“But guys, we (the Rileys) know what you’re going through.

“We’re going to give you emotional support, cause that’s what you really need. We’re going to help you find Jordan. We’ll do our absolute best.

“We found our strengths (in the search for Trent) … We’ll just do the best we can.”

Originally published as Qld police divers join search for missing surf-skier Jordan Kelly