Police probe Mandurah boat death tragedy

THE body of a man who died following a boat crash in Mandurah was examined by experts today as an investigation into the tragedy continues.

Daniel Lloyd, 33, died after a small fibreglass dinghy skippered by 25-year-old Kyle Hartigan smashed into a channel marker in Peel Inlet near Boundary Island.

The incident happened just before 1.15am on Friday.

Both men were ejected from the vessel. The boat continued unmanned, but was recovered later that morning.

The men were helped back to shore by a nearby vessel, but Mr Lloyd later died from his injuries.

Mandurah Detectives officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Trevor Troy said the skipper was arrested on suspicion, spoken to and released without charge.

Blood samples were taken from both men and clothing and items from the dinghy were seized. The skipper also provided a breath analysis sample. The tests and items are still being examined by forensic officers.

Detectives have also taken samples from the channel marker that it is believed the vessel crashed into.

Snr Sgt Troy said officers had spoken to a number of people that were on the water about 15 minutes before the incident, and one “just prior” to the crash.

Police have received reports that there was a white 30-foot boat moored at the Boundary Island jetty at the time of the crash, although they haven’t spoken to anyone on that vessel.

Snr Sgt Troy said officers would like to speak to the operators of that boat.

Mandurah Detective crash investigators and the Department of Transport will also examine the vessel that crashed and another vessel seized during the investigation.

Snr Sgt Troy said police had the channel marker light which was working at the time. Police will download the records from the light, which has built-in records to sense knocks.

A police diving team also went down into the waters where the crash occurred.

“When all of the evidence is in, the forensic evidence, evidence from the post-mortem and the statements are in, we’ll consider all of that evidence and consider if charges are necessary or if the decision is best left to the coroner,” he said.

“There is considerable work still to be done.”

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report at crimestopperswa.com.au.