Family and friends are mourning the loss of seven people who have lost their lives during intense Christmas holiday storms in south-east Queensland.
All seven deaths, including that of a nine-year-old girl, have been confirmed following the discovery of more bodies today.
In one incident yesterday, three out of 11 men who were out on an annual Boxing Day fishing trip died when the 12-metre motorised pleasure craft yacht they were on capsized off the coast of Brisbane.
Acting Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said water police, volunteer police rescue officers and the coast guard responded immediately to distress calls.
"They managed to rescue eight people in the water, some of who were holding on to the oversized hull," he said.
He said one body was found an hour after the search began, while another was found by police divers inside the vessel at 10pm.
The third body was found at 11am today, also inside the vessel.
Brisbane rugby union identity David Logan and school teacher Stephen Tait were two of the three men killed in the tragedy.
President of the Brothers Club, Geoff Rodger, paid tribute to David "Mario" Logan, calling him "one of the best".
"In a club that has so many stalwarts and legends, "Mario" was right up the top as one of Brothers' most favourite sons," Geoff Rodgers said in a statement.
"He was one of the greatest, fun-loving, most sincere and highest integrity people you could ever meet.
"The Brothers family is so saddened by Mario's passing but we will always remember how privileged we have been to have had him in our lives."
Meanwhile, the school where Mr Tait taught, Iona Brisbane, posted a statement on Facebook, saying it would keep his family, friends and colleagues in its prayers.
Colleagues, friends and students have posted hundreds of comments honouring Mr Tait, with one saying he was "the best teacher a lot of us ever had".
Another said he inspired them to become a teacher because he was so "real, wholesome and respectful".
Loading...Conditions on the water 'horrific'
Acting Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said water police would investigate all aspects of the tragedy, and could not comment on what caused the boat to capsize.
"Obviously the weather will play an essential role," he said
He said the water conditions were "horrific".
"The storm was still raging when they were rescued," he said.
He said the men were not in the water for long before the rescue operation.
"I can't tell you how long. It would have been less than 45 minutes but it would've been very difficult to survive in those conditions anywhere, let alone in Moreton Bay," he said.
Acting Chief Superintendent Pilotto said it was difficult for police divers to get into the boat.
"At the time, they weren't looking for bodies," he said.
"They were thinking they could save people."
He said there were winds of about 100 kilometres per hour.
"Which for Moreton Bay is horrific" he said.
"I've been out on the bay in half that and the swell is insane. I'd imagine it was tremendous."
The other eight passengers on board were all rescued within an hour and did not suffer any major injuries.
"Those people were transferred to the Manly Marina where QAS had an extensive triage process and they transported all those people to hospital," he said.
Four others also killed, including child
The nine-year-old girl killed during the wild weather was swept away in a flooded storm drain in Rochedale, in Brisbane's south, yesterday afternoon.
Her body was recovered overnight after a major search.
North of the Sunshine Coast, two women were swept away in floodwaters while "exploring" a drain in Gympie on Tuesday afternoon.
Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Paul Algie said three women were "washed" back through the drain out to the Mary River.
"One woman was able to get to the side of the river and was recovered and managed to raise the alarm," he said.
The two other women, aged 40 and 46, were both found dead.
On the Gold Coast, a 59-year-old woman was killed on Christmas night after being struck by a tree.
Loading...The deaths came during several days of wild weather in Queensland's south-east, with the Christmas Day storm dubbed a "mini cyclone".
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed on Tuesday that a tornado did form during that weather event.
Meteorologist Jonathan How said the tornado travelled through the Scenic Rim and Gold Coast, causing "very widespread destruction" with winds of 150 kilometres per hour.
Loading...More than 80,000 people remained without power on Wednesday afternoon.
More storms on Boxing Day saw roofs blown off in Manly on Brisbane's bayside, and boats turned upside down.
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2023-12-27 06:21:16Z
CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIzLTEyLTI3L3NldmVuLWRlYWQtaW4tcXVlZW5zbGFuZC1zdG9ybXMtdmljdGltcy1yZW1lbWJlcmVkLzEwMzI2NzUzNNIBKGh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMDMyNjc1MzQ
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