Search for man in Brisbane River at Jindalee

The search has resumed for a young man who slipped and fell into the Brisbane River early on Sunday, and was taken by the current, as friends reveal some injured themselves trying to save him.

A search of the Brisbane River has resumed after a man slipped and fell from a pontoon and failed to resurface on Sunday morning.

Friends and family of the 23-year-old are once again at the pontoon where he was last seen, with Polair returning to the skies to aid in the search.

Police say he had been with family and friends when the accident happened at Jindalee in Brisbane’s west about 5.30am on Sunday, with some of his companions injuring themselves trying to save him.

Police divers joined officers on foot and SES personnel in a search-and-rescue operation, with Monday morning’s search focusing on the river and shoreline upstream from Seventeen Mile Rocks.

Inspector Shane Thow said the man had slipped into the water.

Police divers join the search. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

It is understood the current very rapidly swept the man out into the middle of the river.

Insp Thow said the man was not a strong swimmer.

“I know that a couple of his mates actually tried to help him, but he slipped below the waters before they got to him,” Insp Thow said.

A marine rescue and SES team arrived to the boat ramp with two extra search vessels.

A man in his 20s was taken to Queen Elizabeth II Hospital with shoulder injuries after diving into the river in an attempt to help the missing man.

Police arrived about 5.40am and worked with members of the public to start searching using private boats.

Two police boats were scouring the river by midmorning, with detectives and other officers on the shore.

A police helicopter joined the search in the afternoon, flying low along the river bank, as more family and friends gathered in the area.

A group of family and friends gather at the pontoon.

Police were also using drones to help in the search.

Police divers started gearing up on the shoreline to enter the water just after 10am.

Insp Thow said thoughts and prayers were with the family of the 23-year-old, who was understood to be from a suburb in the southside.

“The family are obviously struggling at this point in time,” he said.

Police boats in the river near where a man fell in. Several people, including those believed to be relatives of the missing man, watch on. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

He said search efforts extended a “fair way” down the river, and the recent heavy rainfall had not hindered them.

Insp Thow said the young man and the group had been on a pontoon for a social engagement, but could not speculate about whether alcohol was involved.

“It’s just an unfortunate accident that he slipped, there is no indication that they were mucking around,” Insp Thow said.

Friends and family wait for news. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

A man who lived across from the boat ramp told The Courier-Mail he had not heard any commotion on Saturday night, but the pontoon was a popular spot with young people who went there at night and sometimes fished.

He said it was usually a quiet area, and those who did fish at night were generally well-behaved, only occasionally playing loud music.

Police search the area. Picture Lyndon Mechielsen

Police at the scene. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Originally published as Search for man in Brisbane River at Jindalee