Inquiry told of Australian shipwreck horror

Last Updated: Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:28:00 +1000

A man who tried to help rescue survivors of the Christmas Island shipwreck off Australia's north-west coast in December has described how a massive wave slammed an asylum seekers' boat into cliffs.

Up to 50 asylum seekers died in the accident.

A call from his wife alerted Adrian Morganti to the unfolding disaster at Rocky Point on the island.

The 53-year-old told the first day of the coronial inquest hearings on Christmas Island that the boat survived its first two impacts on the cliff without serious damage.

But then it was lifted by a massive wave that smashed it on to the rocks.

He said the water was full of people surrounded by wreckage.

He said residents on the cliffs used lifejackets attached to ropes to try and pull survivors in.

He said they were pulling one girl in to shore when the rope was cut by jagged rocks.

More than 90 men, women and children were tossed into huge seas when the boat lost power and was smashed against the cliffs.

Coroner Alastair Hope has been examining the adequacy of the navy and Customs response and exploring whether better surveillance around the island could have prevented the tragedy.

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