Two men injured after whale strikes boat off coast of West Australia

The men were on a boat off the coast of Western Australia when a whale breached and hit them.

Two men are in hospital after their boat was struck by a whale off the coast of West Australia.

Emergency crews were called following reports a boat had been struck by a whale 15-18km off the coast of Kalbarri shortly before 7pm on Tuesday.

The Water Police Co-ordination Centre in North Fremantle deployed DFES Marine Rescue Kalbarri to the scene, who escorted the vessel back to shore.

The two men were in a boat when a whale reportedly struck the vessel on Tuesday night. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

The two men – aged 69 and 39 – who were on board had been injured during the incident.

They were both treated by St John WA and taken to Kalbarri Hospital.

The 69-year-old man is believed to have received serious injuries, which might require him to be flown to Royal Perth Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service for further treatment.

A Department of Transport spokesman said officers were aware of the incident and will make enquiries with the people involved.

Originally published as Two men injured after whale strikes boat off coast of West Australia