Death in Melbourne to King Island race

by ABC Radio report on 11 Mar 2002 A Melbourne man has died after falling overboard during the
Queenscliff to Grassy yacht race at the weekend, off King Island.

The accident happened in fine weather and police are now investigating
the cause of death.

The man was a crew member on one of the 25 yachts taking part in the
annual race to King Island.

The man, who was about 45, fell overboard less than half an hour from the
finish line on Saturday afternoon.

He was retrieved by crew members but pronounced dead on arrival at
Currie Hospital.

Race director Ian McKenzie says the fatality has hit the crew hard.

'The crew did absolutely everything that could have been expected,' he
said.

'They administered continuous CPR to the patient and we had an
ambulance and a doctor waiting for him on the wharf.

'I don't think in the circumstances anything could have been done to
improve the situation.'