Three killed after boat upturns near Spilsby Island, SA

Police have delivered a tragic update after a boat capsized overnight, plunging the crew into the water and triggering a frantic search for survivors.

Three people have died in waters off South Australia after a fishing boat did not return to shore.

Police were alerted about 8.30pm on Monday after the boat did not return to Port Lincoln, triggering a frantic search for the occupants.

Messages were sent out across marine radio channels to alert vessels in the area to take part in the search.

The charter boat that capsized in a holding yard at Port Lincoln. Tuesday, March, 26,2024. Picture Mark Brake

Three people have died in waters off South Australia after a fishing vessel capsized. Picture: Google Maps

Water police, local Sea Rescue, a Polair helicopter and a Challenger aircraft all worked into the evening to search for the missing fishermen.

About 2am on Tuesday, a helicopter located an upturned boat near Spilsby Island.

A man, 44, and a 13-year-old boy were located on a reef and winched to safety. They were taken to hospital where they are being treated.

The body of a third passenger was found in the vicinity about 6.30am by emergency services.

Just after 9am, the fourth passenger was found dead nearby where the boat was found.

The fifth and final passenger on the capsized boat was found about 2.15pm.

Rescue teams worked to bring the bodies of those killed in the tragic incident back to shore. Picture Mark Brake

Photographs from the scene on Tuesday afternoon show sea rescue boats combing the waters, with emergency services workers loading stretchers on to the vessels.

In another frame, the body of one of the fishermen is seen being unloaded from a rescue vessel and taken on to land.

The recovered body of a passenger on the capsized boat is collected from Sea Rescue at Billy Lights Point Boat Ramp at Port Lincoln Picture Mark Brake