British man and friend die in rough surf at Melbourne beach

A British national is among two men who died in rough surf at a Melbourne beach on Wednesday, Australian police said.

Victorian Police said emergency services were called to Frankston Beach in Melbourne’s south-east at about 5pm local time following reports of two men in trouble in the water.

A police helicopter assisted the men in the water and winched them back to shore, but they were unresponsive and could not be revived.

Police believe the 36-year-old British national was surfing when his board snapped as the state was lashed by heavy winds of up to 130km/h.

A 43-year-old friend of the surfer jumped into the water to assist, but both came into trouble.

The men have yet to be formally identified as police work to notify next-of-kin.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Victoria Police inspector Melissa Nixon said the surfer had “minimal experience”.

“It appears he may have only been learning to surf,” she 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.”

She added that a police tactical operator who was involved in rescuing the men from the ocean was treated for minor injuries in hospital following the incident.

“He’s had to go in twice,” Ms Nixon said. “As I said, they’re very experienced. They do this often.

“Do not go swimming or surfing in conditions like this when we know that it’s going to be treacherous conditions.

“You put yourself at risk. You put people that jump in to help you at risk. You put the emergency services at risk.”