A Kiama man who drowned after the boat he was in with his nephew capsized off Port Kembla overnight is being remembered as a family man who loved fishing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Neil Campbell, aged 58 and his nephew Graham Ashfield, aged 32, were returning to the Port Kembla boat ramp after going fishing, when they encountered hazardous conditions with a "freak wave" causing the boat to overturn near Rocky Island about 6pm on Thursday.
A large-scale emergency services search for the two fisherman commenced after Mr Ashfield was able to signal a passer-by for help, who called Triple 0.
About 7.30pm, Mr Ashfield was found in the water before he was winched to safety by the NSW Ambulance helicopter crew and airlifted to Wollongong Hospital in a stable condition. He has since been released.
Due to conditions, the search for Mr Campbell had to be suspended at 10.30pm.
Mr Campbell's body was found on Friday about 9am by water police after the search resumed near Rocky Island at 7am.
He was found about one kilometre away from where the boat capsized.
Cec Campbell paid tribute to his brother while thanking all emergency service workers and volunteers for assisting in the search on Thursday night and Friday morning.
They were caught by a freak wave. They became unstuck. My brother made his way back to Rocky Island but my uncle couldn't make it there.
"At least the family has got his body back," he said. "Some families don't get that.
"Some members of the family were wandering the shore line and rocks until 2am in a faint hope of finding him.
"Neil loved his fishing, his daughter and only grandson.
"He remained good friends with his ex-wife.
"Neil was a well-liked person by everyone who knew him."
Mr Campbell said his brother was a truck driver who delivered milk while also working part-time at Kiama Bowling Club, where he he enjoyed playing the sport.
"Neil was a hard worker and a good family man," Mr Campbell said.
"He used to fish with his nephew and now this accident has happened.
"This is a sad time for the family."
Malcolm Ashfield, Mr Campbell's other nephew, was visibly distraught at Hill 60 on Friday morning after hearing the tragic news after he spent most of the night searching the shoreline.
"They were caught by a freak wave," he said. "They became unstuck.
"My brother made his way back to Rocky Island but my uncle couldn't make it there."
Mr Campbell said police told him the pair were not wearing life jackets but had all other safety equipment.
The search involved Lake Illawarra Police District officers, Police Marine Area Command, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, a NSW Ambulance helicopter, Illawarra Surf Life Saving and SES.
Police inquiries into Mr Campbell's drowning will continue and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Lake Illawarra Police District Commander, Superintendent Dean Smith, reminded boating enthusiasts that safety was paramount while on the water.
"Please make sure you are aware of conditions, you let people know where you are going, what time you will be returning and that your safety equipment is in working order and up to standard," he said.
Subscribe to our newsletters
