Helicopter winches family to safety after Whitsundays yacht crash
Two children are among four people winched to safety by a rescue helicopter after their yacht struck a reef off the Queensland coast.
The family of four had been sailing a 10-metre vessel about 120 kilometres off the mainland when the yacht became stuck on Elizabeth Reef in the Whitsundays about 4am on Saturday.
The parents — along with their nine-year-old and 12-year-old — remained on board the damaged yacht until a rescue helicopter could arrive.
A spokesperson for CQ Rescue Helicopters said a crew from Mackay arrived about sunrise.
The helicopter maintained a steady hover while a swimmer was lowered to rescue each family member. (Supplied: BMA CQ Rescue)
"In a highly complex operation, the helicopter hovered above the vessel while a rescue swimmer was lowered to assist," the spokesperson said.
"Each person was secured and winched into the helicopter one at a time."
Once on board the helicopter, the family was transferred to the Whitsunday Airport.
The father was treated on board for head injuries before being taken to Proserpine Hospital for further medical attention.
CQ Rescue CEO Tim Healee said the challenging operation on an isolated reef required immense skill.
"Our crew had to maintain a precise and stable hover while the family were rescued," he said. "The precision and teamwork required cannot be overstated."
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