Five rescued after boat capsizes off Cronulla, emergency crews respond

A vessel carrying five people “split in half” sending five people on board into water off Cronulla on Tuesday morning, prompting a swift response from rescue crews.

The vessel spilt in half. Picture: Cronulla Gropers/Facebook

A boat has capsized and split in half in Cronulla on Tuesday morning, sending a number of people into the water.

Emergency services were made aware of the incident on Blackwoods Beach in Cronulla just after 6.30am.

Five people were on-board the vessel when it capsized.

Crews managed to retrieve both parts of the vessel. Picture: Cronulla Gropers/Facebook

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive officer Steve Pearce said the incident unfolded near Shark Island, just off the beach.

“There’s a dragon boat that split in half just off Shark Island and the great team of lifeguards down there went out on their jet skis to retreat all those occupants back onto the beach,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.

“And just a couple of being checked out by the ambulance crews currently.”

The training group on the dragon boat, also known as an outrigger, ran into trouble when they were going around Shark Island.

“Wow what a morning for our Cronulla Gropers,” the Cronulla Gropers group said on Facebook.

“A trip around Shark island became an emergency Life Saving moment with 5 x women who crashed their outrigger around the side of the island.

“Shout out to Gropers #111 Muz, #164 Pete, #176 Tommy and #167 Waz for helping them, together they not only saved these women but saved and 2nd half of the Outrigger sinking at the side of the island.”

An onlooker on the beach saw the wreckage of the boat.

Shark Island near Cronulla on Tuesday morning. Picture: Eliza Barr

“I initially thought a boat had capsized but then I saw half in the water and half further out to sea,” Lorraine told 2GB radio.

Three patients were being treated for head and rib injuries on the beach, they were taken to Sutherland Hospital with minor injuries.

The incident unfolded near Shark Island, just off Cronulla Beach. Picture: Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

The other two passengers were not injured.

The boat was destroyed and has been removed from the water.

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Originally published as Five rescued after boat capsizes off Cronulla, emergency crews respond