Jesse Youd found by police divers after going missing on Murray River bucks party

A Tasmanian dad is being mourned after he drowned in a bucks party tragedy in Mildura.

Police divers have arrived at the scene where a 34-year-old man went missing in the Murray River after his boat capsized. Picture:Sam Dirkis

UPDATE 4.20PM: A Tasmanian dad is being mourned after he drowned in a bucks party tragedy in Mildura.

The body of Jesse Youd was discovered by police divers about 1.25pm Monday after he went missing late Saturday night.

The 34-year-old was among a large group of people celebrating the impending nuptials of a friend on a houseboat on the Murray River when four men took a dinghy to shore.

However, the dinghy capsized about 11.30pm and three of the men returned to the houseboat.

About three hours later, police were called to Dockside Drive, Mildura when the group realised the young dad was missing.

A large-scale multiagency search began, led by Victoria Police and NSW Police, with assistance from NSW Police divers.

Tasmanian Jesse Youd is being mourned after he drowned in a bucks party tragedy in Mildura. Pictured with wife Sarah-Jayne Youd. Picture: Facebook.

Police divers arrived on the scene mid-morning Monday, anchoring their search off the back of a local houseboat.

Mr Youd leaves behind wife Sarah and two sons, Dawson, 4 and Casey, 6.

The Tasmanian couple wedded in 2018.

While Mr Youd’s cause of death has not been officially determined, it’s understood police believe the 34-year-old drowned.

Officers from Barrier Police District will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the event to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

People have taken to social media to share tributes and extend their sympathies to family and friends.

“My heart is broken for this beautiful little family, love you guys so much sending my strength at this time,” April Mahoney said.

“My deepest sympathies to Sarah and family, what a tragic thing to happen,” Carolyn Dutton said.

“So, so sad. Deepest condolences to all his family, especially the guys he was with, thank you to all responders,” Rowena Crocker added.

An old neighbour to the Youd family said Jesse and his brothers, Dylan and Cory, had become great friends with their own sons.

“They spent most of the time on their push bikes, then motorbikes and paddock bashers. Cory, Jesse and Dylan were the type of kids that you could trust with your own. Their friendships continued long after they moved,” Michael Plumbridge said.

The faces of Victoria’s drowning tragedies

The tragedy comes less than a week after a married couple in their 60s drowned at a popular beach near the NSW-Victoria border.

Police said a man, 60, and a woman, 65, were pulled from the water at Bastion Point, Mallacoota about 3.25pm last Wednesday.

Tasmanian Jesse Youd is being mourned after he drowned in a bucks party tragedy in Mildura. Pictured with wife Sarah-Jayne Youd. Picture: Facebook.

The Pascoe Vale couple was visiting family in Mallacoota.

In another border-region tragedy late last year, 16-year-old Jack Bird drowned at Lake Mulwala when his tinny capsized.

The teenager was fishing with a friend at Silverwoods Boulevard, Yarrawonga on December 11, when the boat was hit by a wave.

A witness was able to help the other boy to shore but sadly Jack’s body was recovered by police days later.

According to Royal Life Saving Australia, 75 people have drowned across the nation this summer, including 14 in Victoria.

It‘s anticipated Mr Youd’s death will be counted in NSW figures, as the water of the Murray River falls under NSW jurisdiction.

26 people have died in inland waterways, including rivers.

EARLIER MONDAY: Police divers arrived in Mildura on Monday morning to look for a 34-year-old man who disappeared after the boat he was on for a bucks night capsized in the river early Sunday morning.

Emergency services were called Dockside Dr in Mildura about 2.40am Sunday following reports that a boat had capsized.

Once Barrier District police arrived on the scene they were told four men had gone out on a boat for a bucks party and after boat capsized only three of them resurfaced.

Police divers have arrived at the scene where a 34-year-old man went missing in the Murray River after his boat capsized.

Police divers arrived on the scene on Monday morning and are anchoring their search off the back of a local houseboat.

NSW divers searched the waters of the Murray looking for the man, while Victoria Police set up an information van on Waterside Way for anyone who has more details on the case.

Divers have pulled a body from the Murray River.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the event to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.