Rescue chopper on route for Chinderah, Tweed River boat accident

The man was flown to Brisbane after jumping from the second storey of a houseboat and hitting the river bed.

The man was rescued from the Tweed River at Chinderah.

A man has been flown to hospital after a houseboat diving accident.

Paramedics and police were called to the Tweed River at Chinderah about 1.45pm on Sunday following reports a man had jumped from the second storey of a houseboat into shallow waters near Stotts Island.

Tweed/ Byron Police District Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe said police established the 57-year-old Queensland man had jumped headfirst from the second floor of the houseboat into about one metre of water and impacted with the muddy river bed before surfacing unconscious.

The man was brought ashore at the Tumbulgum boat ramp and airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane in a critical condition.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Greg Powell said bystanders managed to keep the man afloat and stopped him from drowning as emergency services mounted a rescue operation.

“This patient has suffered a major spinal injury diving into shallow water,” he said.

“NSW Police, NSW Police Marine Area Command, Surf Lifesaving Australia and the aeromedical crew on the Rescue 500 helicopter all worked together to help this patient.

“This is a terrible end to a holiday weekend on the river for this person and their family, and I’d just ask everyone outdoors to please take great care in and around the water.”