A man has been charged after an investigation into a fatal boat capsize in the Northern Rivers region earlier this year.
Just after 6am on Thursday 12 March 2026, emergency services were called to the Yamba Breakwater following reports a boat had capsized when crossing the Yamba coastal bar.
The NSW Police Force’s Marine Area Command coordinated a response involving Marine Rescue NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, NSW Ambulance, and officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District.
A 52-year-old man was pulled from the water and taken to Maclean District Hospital for assessment and mandatory testing.
A short time later, two other people, a 52-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man, were retrieved from waters nearby.
Both were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, they died at the scene.
Detectives attached to NSW Police Force Marine Area Command commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, a 52-year-old man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for two counts of operate recreational vessel negligently causing death/ grievous bodily harm.
He is due to appear before Maclean Local Court on Thursday 15 October 2026.
