The body of a man missing in Lake Burrendong for more than a week was recovered by searchers yesterday. The man had been feared drowned since his boat capsized while fishing on June 21. The tragedy sparked an

outpouring of grief from the Dubbo community.

After 13 agonising days of searching, the body of a 21-year-old Dubbo man who drowned in Lake Burrendong has been found.

Police who were searching in boats yesterday recovered the body about 11.20am at Macquarie Arm, the section believed to be where the young man went missing.

Police and the Burrendong Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) were conducting a grid search of the area when they found the body.

“They had already been searching where he was and they came back to look again and an hour later he popped up,” Burrendong Recreation Park manager Peter Beatty said.

“I was starting to worry for him. It was starting to get shaky, thank goodness it’s all over,” he said.

Forensics from Wellington were called to the scene and police said the depth of the water at the lake was the reason the body took so long to surface.

Although Macquarie Arm is laden with dead trees, police confirmed the man was not snagged.

“I don’t know how he was dressed, he had a lot of clothes on, he was only a light fellow around 60 kilograms apparently so he could have had a lot of clothes on and heavy boots and he just popped up,” Mr Beatty said.

Police said the family of the young man were notified soon after the body was recovered and were relieved to have closure.

“They are leaning on each other, friends and extended family,” Senior Sergeant Rod Buhr of Wellington police said.

“Although it’s taken 12 days the search has been successful, now it’s time for the family to make other arrangements.”

The tragedy unfolded on Saturday June 21 when the 21-year-old and his two friends jumped from the dinghy after it began to fill with water just before sunset.

The man’s two friends swam to shore when they were unable to find their friend after which they walked for two hours to raise the alarm.

Helicopters, boats and a land search then scoured Lake Burrendong into the early hours of Sunday when the search was suspended until daylight.

The search party was increased to include the State Emergency Service (SES), VRA from Mudgee, Wellington, Dubbo, Orange and Narromine, as well as police from Wellington and Dubbo during the first 36 hours after the alarm was raised.

Police divers used sonar technology to search the Macquarie Arm section of the lake.

Police and search teams used boats to scan the area in a three-boat line-formation - similar to the way a land search is conducted.

The dinghy, a backpack, two oars and a fuel can were located on the opposite side of the lake in line with the wind and current directions on the Monday after the accident.

Inspector Matt Goodwin of Dubbo police said the family would like to thank all those involved in the effort to find their son.

“It’s a significant thing to have recovered him and to finalise things instead of being left in limbo,” Inspector Goodwin said.

A report is now being prepared for the coroner.

The man family has decided not to release his name yet.

belinda.galloway@ruralpress.com