Two men drown at Frankston Beach after surfboard breaks in rough seas

Two men drowned off Frankston Beach in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon after a surfer’s board snapped in rough seas and a friend who went to help also became distressed, Victoria Police said. Emergency services were called about 5pm local time and a police helicopter winched both men from the water, but they were unresponsive and later died. Police will prepare reports for the coroner and are working to notify next of kin.

Victoria Police identified the surfer as a 36-year-old British national and his companion as a 43-year-old man, both believed to have been Frankston residents. Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon said the surfer had minimal experience and that his board broke in the hazardous conditions. “Clearly do not go swimming or surfing in conditions like this when we know its going to be treacherous conditions,” she told reporters, adding that bystanders had called for help and that the friend had entered the water to assist.

A police tactical flight officer who rappelled from the helicopter during the rescue was treated in hospital for minor injuries after swallowing water and has since been discharged, officials said. The men were winched to shore but could not be...