One person dead after boat capsizes 100m off Redlands boat ramp

A man who with his daughter survived a boat capsize that claimed his friend’s life is angry no passers-by came to their aid.

An early morning crabbing trip has turned to tragedy, with one dead and two forced to cling to an Esky in a battle to survive after their boat capsized off Cleveland southeast of Brisbane.

The boat is believed to have flipped about 9am on Wednesday, but the alarm wasn’t raised until several hours later, with emergency crews rushing to William St in Cleveland.

Richard Clayton was forced to swim to shore with his daughter, before she was rescued in the water, but his friend T.J., 45, of Riverview in Ipswich, did not make it.

Mr Clayton told Nine News Queensland from hospital that he went out with his 16-year-old daughter Karla and T.J. for a morning of crabbing near the Redlands Boat Club ramp.

The capsized boat is returned to shore. Picture: Patrick Woods

Mr Clayton said he was angry that no one stopped to help.

“I am angry at the way, we were out there fishing, the ferries, the water taxis went past,” he said.

“Me and my mate waving our hands, waving our shirts, singing out and absolutely nothing.

“We would have been 200m maximum you think someone would have the decency to do something.”

Mr Clayton said he was still reeling from his best friend’s death.

“He was a true gentlemen, he leaves behind a couple of young boys, it’s just sad,” he said.

Mr Clayton said as he swam to the shore he kept wondering where his daughter was.

The capsized boat is returned to shore. Picture: Patrick Woods

His daughter Carla said she didn’t think she was going to make it. “I was just thinking what’s going to happen to me. I didn’t even think I was going to make it,” Carla said.

Police confirmed they pulled a body from the water and were investigating the incident.

A local resident told The Courier-Mail he heard lots of police and ambulances in the area.

“It’s definitely not boating weather for small boats,” he said.

“I drove down to the lighthouse.

“Police were out of their vehicle and I sense they were looking out into the bay for the boat.”

The dive squad were on the scene for hours after the incident and retrieved the tinny just before 5.30pm.

Police divers have been called to the Cleveland incident that has left one person dead. Picture: Patrick Woods

Police respond to an emergency boating incident near the Redlands Boat Club ramp. Picture: Patrick Woods