David Neave and Rodney Ingram identified as victims in Kangaroo Island boat tragedy
Two men killed when their boat capsized in waters off Kangaroo Island have been identified as stalwarts of their community as the region grapples with the loss.
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Two Kangaroo Island professional fishermen have been identified as local community stalwarts as the tight-knit region comes to grips with the tragedy.
David Neave and Rodney Ingram, both aged 65, were experienced boaties and fishermen, having navigated the waters at the northern end of the island for decades.
The calamari, king george whiting and snapper fishermen were regulars on the island’s northern waters, and supplied a local seafood outlet three to four times a week.
The 4.88m boat was found overturned and adrift of Cape Cassini late Wednesday, just hours after the alarm was first raised when a thick fog set in.
Island residents said the thick cloud was not common, and described it as “thick” and “pea soup”, capping off a day of calm waters where Mr Neave and Mr Ingram had set out to.
Both men were from long-established families on the island.
Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said the death of the men at sea marked “a terribly sad day for Kangaroo Island”.
“We experienced a tragedy last night after losing two of our very local men who were just going about their business,” Mr Pengilly said.
“These men were doing what they loved, earning a living as fishermen, and their loss is deeply felt by all on the island.
“It’s a terrible loss, they were both loved by the community, they were both in their mid-sixties, both professional fisherman, one of them has been fishing since he was four years old.
“They come from longstanding Island families and they’ll be very much mourned.
“All we can do now is gather round and assist those families as much as possible, rally around them, and support them.”
Mr Neave is understood to have played for the local Wisanger football B Grade team into his 50s – or 40 seasons in a career that went well past 500 games.
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Originally published as David Neave and Rodney Ingram identified as victims in Kangaroo Island boat tragedy
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