Desperate search continues for missing Albany footballer after friend pulled from water in dramatic rescue

A rock fisherman managed to tread water for 90 minutes before being rescued in an incredible act of endurance — but his friend is still missing off the rugged south coast. The rescue of the 23-year-old by Albany Sea Rescue volunteers came after he and his 18-year-old friend were swept off rocks by a wave at Waychinicup National Park. The search for the 18-year-old from Albany, a talented footballer, will stretch into a third day today. Police said yesterday that the pair were fishing near Mermaid Beach at a rock fishing spot only accessible by four-wheel-drive along the rugged coastline east of Albany. They were hunting for blue groper in 4m to 6m swells. “It’s a very popular fish and tragically there have been other people who have lost their lives in pursuit of this fish,” Great Southern Police Supt Ian Clarke said. “So chasing it is very risky business.” The search follows the death of Northam couple Geoffrey Bignell, 30, and Victoria McCloy, 22, near Albany in November 2019 after they were swept off rocks while fishing for blue groper. In a stroke of good fortune, a sea rescue vessel was already in the water on Saturday, involved in a separate search for 36-year-old Christopher Hoy who had been reported missing near Ledge Beach. The vessel was diverted to the Mermaid Beach search, where they found the 23-year-old treading water about 200m offshore. “That was probably one of those things where timing was everything,” Supt Clarke said. “The fact that we actually had the sea rescue resources in the water right at the time that we received this, we were able to send them very quickly to the rescue point where they were able to pick up the 23-year-old man.” The man told police that he had lost sight of his 18-year-old friend after they were swept into the Southern Ocean. “The young 18-year-old man was closer into the rocks and he was observed for a period by his friend who was in the water,” Supt Clarke said. “As he got closer into the shore, he appears to have disappeared and he hasn’t been able to locate him.” Mr Hoy, whose vehicle had been abandoned in the Ledge Beach carpark, was found 36km away in the nearby town of Manypeaks yesterday afternoon. Mr Hoy’s roommate had reported him missing to police after he did not come home from a fishing trip on Thursday. The Albany man was taken to Albany Health Campus for a check-up. Both searches put local emergency services resources under pressure. An Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger jet joined a police helicopter, civilian helicopter and police drones in the air. At Mermaid Beach, relatives of the missing 18-year-old have been helping police with search efforts. “We’ve maintained close contact with the family and incorporated some members into the search,” Supt Clarke said.