‘Unthinkable’: Trio of missing fishermen found dead after major search off South Australian coast named

A trio of fishermen who disappeared on a routine trip have been identified, after a lengthy search off the Australian coast ended in tragedy.

A trio of fishermen found dead after a search off South Australia’s Limestone Coast ended in tragedy have been identified.

The trioof good friendswere expected to be back at Beachport about 2.30pm on Sunday despite the warning from a local resident not to brave the dangerous weather conditions brewing.

The alarm raised when the same resident who warned them noticed the men had failed to return, sparking a major search effort involving police, water operations, PolAir, SES, and aerial assets such as drones with local’s assisting in the search operations with their own boats.

A large search of the area was conducted to locate the missing men. NewsWire / John Appleyard
A large search of the area was conducted to locate the missing men. NewsWire / John Appleyard

Beachport is a popular fishing destination. Picture: Google Maps
Beachport is a popular fishing destination. Picture: Google Maps
SA Police confirmed on Monday morning that the bodies of the three NSW fishermen – now identified by The Advertiser and Chanel Seven as Les DeMamiel, 74, Russell Fisher, 67, and John McKenzie, 65- have been recovered.

Another member of the public also assisted police in the search with a light plane, discovering the boat and the body of one of the men that had washed up on shore, Superintendent Cox confirmed.

Russell Fisher, one of the three men found dead at Beachport. Picture: Facebook
Russell Fisher, one of the three men found dead at Beachport. Picture: Facebook

Les Demamiel, 74. Picture: Facebook
Les Demamiel, 74. Picture: Facebook

65 year old John McKenzie was found dead with his two friends at Beachport. Picture: 9NEWS
65 year old John McKenzie was found dead with his two friends at Beachport. Picture: 9NEWS
The bodies of the other two men were spotted overhead by a police helicopter several hours later.

Beachport is a popular fishing destination known for its isolated, 772m-long jetty.

About the time the men were due back at Beachport, strong winds were reported with gusts peaking at 32km/hr about 20 minutes later.

Local residents told The Advertiser that swells reach “up to 3m” on Sunday and were conditions “nobody should have been fishing in”.