A tragic incident unfolded at Frankston Beach, located approximately 45 kilometers southeast of Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The victims, a 36-year-old British surfer and his 43-year-old friend, succumbed to the perilous conditions brought on by severe weather. Authorities were alerted to the scene after reports of two men struggling in the water. Despite a swift response from emergency services, including a police helicopter that arrived within 15 minutes, both men were pronounced dead after being winched back to shore. The officer involved in the rescue also required medical attention after ingesting water but was later released from the hospital. The identities of the deceased have not been formally released as their families are yet to be notified. Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon, who addressed the media, emphasized that the surfer had minimal experience and was likely in the early stages of learning the sport. She highlighted that the weather conditions, characterized by wind gusts of up to 130 kilometers per hour, were highly unsuitable for any water activities. The friend, who attempted to rescue the surfer after his board snapped, also fell victim to the treacherous waves. Nixon described the scene as deeply distressing and underscored that the fatalities could have been avoided. She urged the public to refrain from surfing or swimming during hazardous weather conditions to prevent similar tragedies. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unpredictable natural elements and the importance of adhering to safety warnings.