Emergency services respond to water incident near Queenscliff boat ramp

A man has died after a diving accident between Queenscliff and Barwon Heads.

Police attend an accident near the Queenscliff boat ramp. Picture: Alan Barber

A man has drowned after a diving accident between Queenscliff and Barwon Heads on Wednesday.

It’s understood he found trouble near the ex-HMAS Canberra diving site near Ocean Grove just before 9.30am.

The 66-year-old Hughesdale man was pulled from the water unresponsive by three other divers who performed CPR before he was taken to the Queenscliff boat ramp.

Leading Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said paramedics at the Queenscliff scene were unable to revive him.

“Police will prepare a report for the coroner,” she said.

Emergency services responding in numbers to incident near the Queenscliff boat ramp.

Police Picture: Alan Barber

Police, paramedics and fire crews were all called to Harbour St, with officers diverting traffic.

An Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman confirmed an advanced life support and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance attended the scene.

One passer-by described “up to 15 police” next to the boat ramp with one person deceased.

“It’s tragic,” he said.

“There was a lot of sombre faces.”

The ex-HMAS Canberra, a former warship, was the first artificial reef created in Victoria specifically for divers in 2009, and lies in about 30 metres of water.

It’s believed the deceased was part of a private diving group.

A boat was still tied up at the Queenscliff boat ramp as of 12.20pm Wednesday.

Originally published as Emergency services respond to water incident near Queenscliff boat ramp