1. “I hope he’s kicking back on an island with a coconut in hand.” Woman’s heartbreaking message for missing fiance.
The families of six men presumed dead after their fishing vessel sank off the Queensland coast still hold out hope of a miracle survival.
Authorities believe skipper Ben Leahy, 45, and crew members Adam Hoffman, 30, Eli Tonks, 39, Adam Bidner, 33, Chris Sammut, 34, and Zach Feeney, 28, died after the Dianne capsized off the town of 1770 on Monday night.
Speaking to the ABC, the fiance of Eli Tonks, Ana James, said he is "full of love, compassion and emotion" and that she still hopes to find him alive.
"He is a machine. Friends and family know he would not give up without a fight," Ana said.
"Most of us continue to hold onto hope that he's kicked back on one of the islands with a coconut in hand — because that's the kind of guy he is. Fearless and capable of anything."
Eli's family also released a statement, expressing gratitude for the emergency services and wider community.
"We have not given up hope and will not give up until they are found," it said, according to AAP. "Eli is a beloved partner, son, brother, friend and loving father of two."
An extensive aerial, land and sea search has failed to find the men, whose families were on Thursday night gathered in Gladstone to be briefed by authorities.
The search operation will continue on Friday morning with sounding technology to be used in an effort to find the vessel, a Queensland Police spokeswoman told AAP on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the sole known survivor, Ruben McDornan, has been reunited with his wife and mum.