Two boats aground on Lady Musgrave

by ABC Radio Bundaberg QLD. on 4 Jun 2002 Five men have been plucked to safety after two boats ran aground on Lady Musgrave Island off the central Queensland coast.

Volunteer Marine Rescue received a distress call this morning from two people on board a yacht that was taking on water after running aground on a reef.

The Energex rescue helicopter was sent out to help when a second boat with three people on board, was struck by a large wave and also smashed onto the reef.

The paramedic on board the helicopter, Mal Babb, says the five men have been flown to the Bundaberg hospital but are not injured.

'They'd all be suffering mild hypothermia because it's quite cold and very, very windy and rough out here.'

Mr Babb says four-metre swells and 50 knot winds made the rescue operation very difficult. It is believed the men are from Sydney.