Family fears the worst but still holds hope son will be found
The search for veterinarian Lukas Orda and other missing crew is continuing in rough seas southwest of Japan as another huge typhoon sweeps in.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The search for veterinarian Lukas Orda and other missing crew is continuing in rough seas southwest of Japan as another huge typhoon sweeps in.
The Panamanian-flagged Gulf Livestock 1, carrying 5800 cattle and 43 crew, capsized and sank on Wednesday west of Japan’s Amami Archipelago, part of the Ryukyu Islands.
One crewman was hauled alive from the sea by the Japanese Coast Guard, but a second crewman, found unconscious on Friday morning, is reported to have died in hospital.
MORE NEWS>>>
• Carl Webb motor neurone disease diagnosis has former NRL teammates rallying around him
• Anna Maria Johnson charged with grooming child issued strict bail orders
• Speeding cars captured hooning on Riverway Dr in early morning
Mr Orda trained at James Cook University and worked with the 4 Paws Veterinarians in Townsville in 2017 before working in Victoria and on the Gold Coast.
He joined the live cattle ship in June and planned to return to Townsville with wife Emma Orda and son Theo, six months.
A family friend, Mount Isa Catholic priest Father Michael Lowcock, said the family “know it’s the worst” even though they hold some hope.
A Japanese Coast Guard spokesman said the search was continuing with four vessels and one aircraft. He said a man was pulled from the sea on Friday, unconscious, about 120km from the Amami Islands but Japan’s Kyodo News later reported the man died.
The survivor, the ship’s chief officer, Eduardo Sareno, told the Japanese Coast Guard the engines stopped and they could not control the ship in huge seas whipped up by Typhoon Maysak.
Mr Sareno said the ship took a wave broadside, capsized and sank.
The crew had been instructed to put on life jackets.
He jumped into the water and did not see any other crew members.
Cattle from the ship, which was travelling to China from New Zealand, have been seen in the water and washed up on the shores of eastern China.
Now another storm, Typhoon Haishen, is sweeping in on a similar track.
It is expected to intensify with winds of 240km/h as its heads northwest towards South Korea.
In a statement, Dubai-based Gulf Navigation Holding PJSC said it “deeply regrets” to report the incident relating to its vessel, MV Gulf Livestock 1.
A spokesman for Gulf Navigation said: “Our hearts go out to those on board and their families at this time. We also express deep regret for the sad loss of the livestock on board. We are monitoring the situation closely and working closely with those involved in rescue efforts. We pray that there are other survivors.”
Originally published as Family fears the worst but still holds hope son will be found