Senior Sergeant Nathan Ractliffe confirmed at a press conference on Monday afternoon that a missing male has not yet been found.
Police have confirmed at a press conference this afternoon that a search for a missing 16-year-old male who was involved in a boating accident on Lake Mulwala on Sunday morning continues.
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Two 16-year-old males went fishing in a tinny on the lake near Silverwoods just before 9am on Sunday. It is believed the boys were hit by a wave and fell overboard into the water.
Senior Sergeant Nathan Ractliffe confirmed at a media conference at the Yarrawonga Police Station the boat did not capsize but could not confirm if the boys were wearing a life jacket as investigations were ongoing.
The search continues on Lake Mulwala on Monday with police divers, Search and Rescue, Air Wing, Water Police and SES from both sides of the border involved.
Sgt Ractliffe said police investigators believed the boat was “motoring along and likely to have succumbed to the water conditions… subsequently throwing the two males from the boat into Lake Mulwala”.
Sgt Ractliffe said the boat stayed upright and movement in the water threw the males out of the boat which has now been seized for further investigation.
He said witnesses saw the two boys treading water.
“A good Samaritan has actually grabbed a floatation device from a nearby resort and assisted one of those males to come back to shore.
“The good Samaritan has then tried to go back in to assist the second male in the water but he was unable to be located at that stage.
“A number of witnesses were trying to communicate to the second male trying to keep him above water to reassure him while the other was being assisted.”
Sgt Ractfliffe said the exact search location on the Victorian/Yarrawonga side of the lake was about 150-200 metres west of Chinamans Bend or 100 metres north of the resort (Silverwoods) where the incident occurred.
Sgt Ractliffe asked for the privacy of the family to be considered and would not reveal where both the males resided.
He said the rescued male is being supported by family and his strong community network and is assisting police with their ongoing investigation.
He said police and emergency services have found it extremely difficult today to undergo a number of search activities due to the weather and conditions in the next couple of days are not very favourable, but they are doing everything they can to locate the male.
Sgt Ractliffe asked people using the lake to be wary of the search.
“We are asking members of the public to provide some distance from the (search) operation and if they have any information relating to the missing male in any way to call triple 0 straight away and remain where they are until police arrive.”
The search will continue, with police divers, Search and Rescue, Air Wing, Water Police and SES from both sides of the border involved.
