Two young children have been winched to safety in a high‑risk rescue on the Great Barrier Reef after their family’s yacht ran aground in the early hours of the morning.
The 35‑foot vessel struck Elizabeth Reef — about 120km off the Queensland coast — around 4am on Saturday, leaving the yacht damaged and the family stranded in darkness.
The parents and their children - aged nine and 12 - stayed aboard until the BMA CQ Rescue helicopter reached them at first light.
The Mackay‑based crew hovered above the yacht as a rescue swimmer was lowered onto the deck.
Each family member was secured and winched up one at a time, with the yacht’s mast forcing pilots to hold a precise hover to keep the aircraft, cable and swimmer clear of hazards.
All four were flown to Whitsunday Airport at Shute Harbour.
The father, who suffered head injuries, was treated in the helicopter by a critical‑care paramedic before being transferred to Queensland Ambulance Service and taken to Proserpine Hospital.
BMA CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee said the mission demanded skill.
“This was an exceptionally challenging rescue over a damaged yacht on an isolated reef,” he said.
“Our crew had to maintain a precise hover while four people — including two young children — were recovered individually. The teamwork and communication required cannot be overstated.”
BMA CQ Rescue provides aeromedical and search‑and‑rescue services across Central Queensland, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.