Aussie killed in freak boating accident named

Passionate fisherman and footballer Tye Smith was tragically found dead on Tuesday after a freak boating accident.

The fisherman who died in a boat crash in WA has been named.

Tye Smith, 27, from Mandurah, was found dead on Tuesday after a freak boating accident.

Mr Smith and another man in his 20s were on a fishing trip when their boat hit a mooring on Saturday.

It sank at the southern end of the West Lewis Island at about 11pm, according to the West Australian.

The other man swam for an hour before reaching rocks that led to land, where he was able to alert rescuers.

A three-day search and rescue mission, that was joined by many of Mr Smith’s friends and family, ended in tragedy yesterday when his body were recovered from the water.

It is understood that neither Mr Smith or his friend were wearing life jackets.

Tributes flooded in for Mr Smith with friends describing him as the “friendliest, kindest and most generous mate”.

Passionate fisherman Tye Smith was tragically found dead on Tuesday after a freak boating accident.

“Tye was the best fisherman I knew,” Mr Smith’s former housemate Jarrad Hunter said.

“What I’d do to have one more fish florentine, one more rumbo, a wheel bearing session and set the street on fire again with you mate. Thanks for all the good times Tye, we love you.”

In his younger years Mr Smith was a keen wakeboarder and had a “huge passion for everything he did”, according to a spokesperson for Wakeboard WA.

“He was a talented wakeboarder and an all-round nice guy,” they said.

“A cheeky, happy lad with a huge sense of adventure and love of life. A past, well-loved member of our club.

“Hope you’re catching a tonne of big ones up there and the chooks are flowing.”

Mr Smith was also a footballer for The Exmouth Eagles.

Several of his teammates are understood to have driven up from Exmouth to assist with search efforts.

Originally published as Aussie killed in freak boating accident named