Rescue Underway After Call From Sinking Boat

A helicopter has set out from Cairns to rescue two people who sent a distress signal from their sinking boat off far north Queensland. A spokeswoman for Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) said the pair radioed for help around 6am (AEST), saying their vessel was going down north-west of Willis Island.A fixed wing aircraft spotted the two on the top of the boat but was unable to winch them to safety. An EMQ helicopter from Cairns has been sent to get them and was expected back in Cairns around midday.