An elderly Perth man has drowned off the Broome coast overnight after he and a group of friends were forced to abandon their sinking vessel.
The four men, all believed to be aged in their 70s, began making radio calls for help to authorities at 12.45am, telling water police they were “taking on water” at a mooring near Gantheaume Point.
Police believe the men then abandoned the boat as the situation worsened, with all four attempting to swim to another boat nearby.
Tragically, one of the men failed to make it to the vessel. His body was later found by Marine Rescue crews, which had sent out rescue vessels to help the men.
The remaining three men were taken to Broome Hospital for assessment and treatment.
