AN “INEXPERIENCED” Brit surfer has been found dead after his board snapped while out in dangerous conditions off the coast of Melbourne.
His friend, 43, tried to save the drowning 36-year-old but was tragically found dead by a police helicopter amid strong 80mph winds.
The Brit was reportedly out in choppy waters on the popular Frankston Beach at around 5pm local time on Wednesday.
He quickly started to panic and became distressed after his board broke, according to investigators at Victoria Police.
Inspector Melissa Nixon said the Brit had “minimal experience” with officials believing he may have been only learning to surf while out in Australia.
His friend, who had been watching at the time, saw the Brit struggling and immediately tried to swim towards him.
Police rushed to the scene to find both men in trouble far from dry land.
The police’s Air Wing helicopter unit came to assist in the rescue operation as both men were winched back to shore.
Neither man could be revived as ambulance crews confirmed their deaths as they arrived.
Nixon said: “His friend obviously thought he was in distress and jumped in to help him.
“The weather conditions yesterday were obviously not appropriate to be in the water surfing, whether you’re experienced or not.
“It is a risk that you take that you put other people in danger.”
