Helicopter racing to rescue six people after they sent up a distress call from their sinking boat
- BREAKING NEWS: Rescue helicopter desperately racing to a sinking vessel
- Six people are on board the boat near Scawfell Island, 54km from Mackay
A rescue helicopter is desperately racing to rescue the crew of a sinking vessel near a remote island.
Six people are on board the boat near Scawfell Island, about 50km north-east of Mackay in Queensland.
The RACQ chopper on Wednesday set off from its base of operations in Mackay after receiving a distress call.
The RACQ Rescue helicopter (pictured) is desperately racing to a sinking vessel with six people on board near Scawfell Island
More details about the incident will be available once the helicopter reaches the boat.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay is also responding to the rescue mission.
The temperature at Scawfell Island is around 27 degrees on Wednesday evening, with rain expected later.
Scawfell Island (pictured) is 54km north-east of the Queensland city of Mackay
Granite cliffs line the coast of the island, which is the largest national park island in the South Cumberland group.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted RACQ Rescue for this story.
More to come.
Pictured is the tweet sent out by the RACQ Rescue service about its operation near Scawfell Island