Men swept into sea at Queens Head, unmanned boat powering south near Port Macquarie

A ‘rogue’ boat alert was issued after two men were swept overboard and spent over an hour struggling back to shore, one with critical injuries, on the Mid-North Coast.

Paramedics called to Queens Head north of Port Macquarie after two men were swept overboard and made it to shore with serious injuries.

A ‘rogue’ boat alert was issued after two men were swept overboard and spent 90 minutes struggling back to shore with serious injuries.

The five metre runabout was operating near Queens Head between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head on Tuesday afternoon when two men were tossed into the sea.

They eventually made it to shore after being in the water for over an hour.

According to a NSW Ambulance spokesperson one man suffered critical injuries to his abdomen and other lacerations.

The second man sustained head injuries and had a fractured leg and cuts.

The Westpac Rescue chopper at Queens Head north of Port Macquarie after two men were swept overboard and made it to shore with serious injuries. They were flown to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital.

It is understood they were run over by the boat as it powered away.

When they finally made it to shore they were found by a passer by and paramedics called.

The men were later airlifted to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital.

By Thursday morning the boat had still not been located and Marine Rescue NSW had suspended its search which extended up to Hat Head and out to 7 nautical miles offshore.

Concerns for ‘rogue’ boat

Crews from Marine Rescue NSW Port Macquarie raced to the scene in fading light and spent three hours searching for the boat but were unable to locate it.

Lifeguards also joined the search on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Facebook.

Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Rodney Page said the boat, which took off under power in a southeasterly direction, posed a significant danger to the public.

“It could crash into anything at any time - another boat or people swimming,” he said on Tuesday night.

Marine Rescue NSW issued an alert to all boat operators in the area to keep an eye out.

Being on the southern side of Queens Head Mr Page believes the boat was most likely fishing at the time and could potentially have a 20 litre tank and, if full, could continue operating for two hours.

“We’ve issued a security alert that a boat has gone ‘rogue’ if you like.”

Police suggested that if Marine Rescue crews located the boat they could attempt throwing a line out to entangle the engine blades similar to road spikes.

“Otherwise we stay with the boat and just ensure it doesn’t come in contact with anybody.”