A body has been found in the search for a boatie who was last heard screaming for help after getting into trouble in the water on the Gold Coast.
The 55-year-old man was heard calling for help in waters near the Boykambil Esplanade boat ramp off Hope Island about 7.10pm on Sunday, November 8.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene to find his empty power-boat in Coombabah Creek about 7.30pm.
The man was heard calling for help on Sunday. Credit: 7NEWS
Queensland Police Acting Inspector Peter Venz said the man, who lived on a sailboat anchored in the Broadwater, had come ashore to repair his small motorboat, known as a tender.
He had replaced several spark plugs but was unable to get the engine running.
They said the man then dragged the boat along the water’s edge before attempting to paddle about 50 meters back to his sailboat.
However, the outgoing tide was particularly strong, forcing him to repeatedly drop his anchor to take breaks from paddling.
At some point, he became separated from the boat and ended up in the water, police said.
Be the first to know: Add 7NEWS as your preferred news source on GoogleQueensland Police Acting Inspector Peter Venz said the man lived on a sailboat. Credit: 7NEWS
Venz said the man was a strong swimmer with no known medical conditions.
However, he had reportedly suffered a serious cut to his foot on barnacles along the rocks about 2.30pm on Sunday and sent a photo of the injury to his mother.
The man’s sister and other family members had joined the search on the water.
Following a major air and sea search, the man’s body was found at the mouth of Saltwater Creek about 8.45am on Monday, November 9.
His death is not being treated as suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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