A man and a woman from the South East have drowned near Southend this afternoon.

In all, four people were pulled from the water after their recreational boat capsized near Cape Buffon.

It is understood land-based sightseers on the Cape saw the boat and raised the alarm with the crew of the professional lobster boat “Belvidere”.

This took them to the Southend jetty and the two survivors aged in their forties were then reportedly taken by ambulance to Millicent Hospital for observation.

The mishap occurred one nautical mle south of Cape Buffon.

The two deceased persons were brought ashore about 5.30pm and taken into the care of Allan Johnston and Kerryn Bennett, of Millicent firm Wattle Range Funerals.

Among those to assist at the jetty were professional lobster fishermen as well as Millicent police officers Detective Brevet Sergeant Chris Walkley (CIB), Senior Constable Terry Obee and Constable Mark Patton and SA Ambulance Service Millicent team leader Michael Boland.

The recreational vessel was brought ashore and placed under police guard at the boat-launching beach at Southend.

The tragedy attracted a number of news crews including a helicopter from Channel Seven, Adelaide.

Police are preparing a report for the State Coroner.

TANTANOOLA

Meanwhile,an elderly man is reported to have died at the Tantanoola Cave yesterday morning.

According to on-line news reports, the man was walking the cliff loop when he fell and landed on rocks before 11.30am.

Ambulance and emergency services personnel were then summoned from Millicent.

It is understood attempts were made to resuscitate him until SAAS personnel arrived, but he died at the scene.

It is not known if the man had suffered from a medical condition.

It is anticipated police will make a report for the Coroner.

 MORE TO COME