Lake Macquarie: Appeal after hit-and-run boat crash left two fishermen injured off Wangi Wangi

Detectives believe a man and woman may be able to assist with inquiries over a shocking hit-and-run boat crash which left two fishermen seriously injured. Do you recognise these images?

Two fishermen who were left badly injured after a boat slammed into their runabout could hear a man and woman’s voices as the vessel drove off into the darkness.

Detectives said about 4am on Wednesday, October 16, a vessel collided at speed with another vessel — that had the two men on board — just off Wangi Wangi Point.

The fishermen told police when the vessel drove away they could hear the voices of a man and a woman onboard.

In a bid to find out more information, Marine Area Command detectives have released CCTV footage of a white ute towing a boat and double-axle trailer which was captured going past a nearby shop at Summerland Point just minutes after the shocking hit-and-run collision.

Police believe the owner of the ute and boat may be able to assist with their inquiries.

A white four-door ute and the boat/trailer can be seen passing the window of the shop in the CCTV. Police believe the occupiers could assist with their inquiries.

Officers were notified, and the two fishermen, aged 36 and 41, were taken to the John Hunter Hospital with serious neck, spine, ribs and shoulder blade fractures as well as serious head lacerations.

The men have since been discharged.

Officers from the Marine Area Command formed Strike Force Twelfth to investigate the crash.

The damaged fishermen’s boat was seized and forensically examined, with the results indicating that the other vessel was made of aluminium and had a blue-coloured hull.

Police Marine Area Command detectives are looking for the owner of the other boat involved. Picture: File shot

Subsequent inquiries revealed the vessel was towed by a white four-door utility, that drove along Cams Boulevard in Summerland Point, about 4.35am the same day of the incident.

As inquiries continue, detectives have released CCTV footage of a vehicle whose occupants may be able to assist with inquiries.

The boat appears in the footage to have a silver aluminium bottom with a blue upper hull and a sizeable outboard motor.

Police are looking for more information. Picture: NSW Police.

Marine Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Acting Inspector Mick O’Keefe said someone in the community may have the final piece of information that was key in assisting detectives with solving this case.

“Through traditional detective work, investigators have established that they are looking for a male and female who were in a white Toyota Hilux, towing a blue bottomed aluminium boat,” Det A/Insp O’Keefe said.

“We believe some children may have been on their boat at the time of the incident and we hope no one was injured like the fishermen were.

“This is an opportunity for those involved to turn themselves in to police, or expect a visit from detectives soon enough, it’s just a matter of time.

“If members of the public have any information which might assist detectives, I urge them to call Crime Stoppers or their local police station. Just like on the road, there are rules that need to be obeyed on the water to avoid reckless incidents like this.”