Police and emergency services are trawling the river in search of a 23-year-old who slipped into the water early on Sunday and failed to resurface.
Police and emergency services are trawling the river in search of a 23-year-old who slipped into the water early on Sunday and failed to resurface.
By Cameron Atfield
March 16, 2025 — 1.50pm
Police and emergency services are trawling the Brisbane River after a man slipped into the water at the Jindalee boat ramp early on Sunday and failed to resurface.
Acting Inspector Shane Thow said the 23-year-old from “a southern suburb of Brisbane” disappeared about 5.30am during a “social engagement of some form” on the pontoon.
“We do know that he was down on the pontoon with family and friends and that he’s slipped off that pontoon,” Thow said.
“He’s not a strong swimmer.”
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said another man in his 20s who tried to help was taken to the Queen Elizabeth II hospital in a stable condition with shoulder injuries.
Thow said he was unsure whether the man and his friends had been drinking alcohol at the time.
“It is just an unfortunate accident that he’s slipped in,” he said. “There’s no indication that they were mucking around.”
Thow said Queensland Fire Department swift-water rescue teams were quickly on the scene, along with water police, QPS diving teams and the SES.
Private boats had also been involved in the search.
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“A couple of his mates actually tried to help him, but he slipped below the waters before they got to him,” Thow said.
He said the man’s family was being offered support, and police were keen to hear from anyone who may have seen what happened.
“The family are obviously struggling at this point in time, as well to be expected,” he said.
The incident came days after Queensland Police launched a homicide investigation into the death of Crystal Beale, whose body was found in the Brisbane River downstream from Jindalee at Yeronga.