A boating tragedy in the northern NSW town of Ballina has left three people dead.
Emergency crews were alerted around 6.15pm on Monday to reports a yacht had been spotted struggling off the South Ballina break wall.
A crew from Marine Rescue NSW responded, however, their vessel rolled while crossing the Ballina Bar in heavy conditions.
Three people have been confirmed dead, while four others managed to make it to shore.
Police are still working to determine exactly how many people were on board the yacht, which has since sunk.
It’s also unclear whether the three people who died were on the yacht, or marine rescue members.
A major search and rescue operation is continuing, with additional assistance being provided by the AMSA Challenger jet and Westpac Rescue Helicopter from Lismore.
