Fears are growing for the safety of a fisherman missing for more than two days in Queensland’s Wide Bay region after his boat was found early this morning.
Darryn Kimlin, 42, was last seen leaving on a solo fishing trip on the Mary River at Maryborough about 10am on Saturday, with his family expecting him to return around midday on Sunday.
Police said the last contact between Mr Kimlin and his family was around 3.50pm on Saturday, when he indicated he was fishing at Beaver Rock near the mouth of the Mary River.
His boat, a five-metre fibreglass half-cab named Tamarumma, was found on a sandbar near the Beaver Rock boat ramp early Monday morning.
Mr Kimlin’s boat was found on a sandbar. (Supplied: Queensland Police Service)
Maryborough Patrol Group Area Inspector Paul Algie said some evidence — including markings on the boat — were helping police to direct their search area, but the markings were not consistent with impact with another boat.
A water and air search is underway involving police, SES and local volunteers to search a “very large area” of the Mary River and Great Sandy Straits.
“We are waiting at the moment for the tide to drop because that will obviously open up further areas for us to search, and we will use helicopter resources until last light today,” Inspector Algie said.
“We’ve obviously got some serious concerns for this man’s safety … but the search is ongoing.
“This is obviously out of character that he hasn’t returned home, and [the family] are very concerned as you could imagine.”
The Mary River runs through Maryborough before flowing into the Great Sandy Marine Park. (ABC Wide Bay: Ross Kay)
Inspector Algie said Mr Kimlin knew the area well, would boat there regularly and was in good physical fitness.
The Maryborough local was last seen wearing a long sleeve fishing shirt and board shorts.
Police urged anyone with information regarding Mr Kimlin’s whereabouts to contact them.
