Hope fades in search for missing surf skier who went missing without a trace in a huge swell – after his mate paddled to safety for seven hours
- 26-year-old Kiwi surf skier Jordan Kelly has been missing since Saturday
- He and a mate got caught in a huge swell while off North Stradbroke Island
- His friend said Mr Kelly ‘slipped away’ after becoming exhausted by waves
There is still no sign of missing New Zealander Jordan Kelly or his paddle three days after he went missing in big swell off Brisbane.
The 26-year-old became separated from his mate Jack McDonald while they were paddling their surf skis in heavy seas off North Stradbroke Island on Saturday.
Both ended up in the water when Mr McDonald’s ski started to sink. The 28-year-old has told police his friend Jordan ‘slipped away’ after exhaustion set in.
Mr McDonald was able to paddle to safety, making it to Amity Point Wharf on the island at about 8pm, about seven hours after they got into trouble.
Brisbane Water Police acting Senior Sergeant Mitch Gray says water conditions have improved and vessels and helicopters have resumed the search on Tuesday morning.
The search for 26-year-old Jordan Kelly (right), who vanished during a surf ski trip around Stradbroke Island in Queensland’s Moreton Bay, continues
The men, both in their mid-20s, were reported missing after they did not return from surf skiing near North Stradbroke Island between Dunwich and Cylinder Beach
There’s still no trace of Mr Kelly or his surf ski paddle, which would have floated.
‘We haven’t found any clues, we haven’t found Jordan and there’s a paddle still outstanding, so if any member of the public finds a black carbon fibre paddle we would definitely be interested in that,’ Sgt Gray told ABC Radio.
He said Mr McDonald was ‘doing it tough’, but had recovered from mild hypothermia and been debriefed about the incident by water police.
Mr McDonald had also been able on Monday night to return to the area where Mr Kelly disappeared on Saturday night to help police narrow down the search area using shore lights and landmarks.
‘You know being there all the way to the end and then having to make that decision to paddle back to land, yeah, I can’t imagine what that would feel like,’ Sgt Gray added.
Members of Mr Kelly’s family have arrived from New Zealand on Monday, with others on their way.
Sgt Gray paid tribute to members of the North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay community for doing everything they could to help the search, particularly the Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue personnel.
‘Some people are even, you know, not turning up to work, their work’s been very good to let them go and be out there and help us,’ he said.
‘So you know these jobs don’t go get that without the community and volunteers.’