'Come home please': AFL star's devastating plea to missing brother
Michael Hibberd has issued an emotional plea after his brother went missing while fishing off the Victorian coast.
Jason De Silva, 20, and Geoff Hibberd, 33, set out on the three-metre tinny from the Flinders boat ramp some time before 6am on Sunday.
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The pair, who remain unaccounted for, are known to fish off Flinders coast, west of Phillip Island.
On Tuesday the search for the two fishermen resumed a day after their tinny washed ashore.
One of the missing men is the brother of Melbourne footballer Michael Hibberd.https://t.co/vSDhLEbIOn
— 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) April 6, 2020
Michael Hibberd’s emotional plea to brother
Melbourne Demons star Michael Hibberd was seen at Flinders boat ramp on Monday morning, anxiously awaiting any news about his brother.
He posted a number of photos of himself and Geoff on Instagram alongside an emotional plea.
“Come home now please, brother,” he wrote.
The small boat with an outboard motor was found washed ashore at Pyramid Rock about 11am on Monday.
The search was sparked after a friend who had been unable to contact the pair called police about 9pm on Sunday.
Water police and the air wing, Coast Guard and volunteer marine rescue agencies were involved in searching for the vessel.
“Conditions were quite treacherous so they might have sought refuge somewhere,” Police told 7News on Monday.
The brother of AFL star Michael Hibberd is one of two men feared drowned after a fishing trip in Western Port Bay. There's been a desperate search for the pair who set out in treacherous conditions in a tinny. https://t.co/Vx3xZT4GaY @cassiezervos #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/FluyOmGq0y
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) April 6, 2020
The men had gone fishing on the first weekend since the state's tougher coronavirus social distancing laws came into force.
Under these restrictions no recreational fishing is allowed in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The AFL community is rallying around the Hibberd family as they await news about Geoff.
Horrible story developing with Demon Michael Hibberd's brother missing. His boat has been found but he and his other fishing mate haven't been found. Hibberd was at the boating ramp this morning. Melbourne won't comment but his brother was his greatest fan https://t.co/9Ip14K6IR4
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) April 6, 2020
Hoping for the best. Hope Geoff is safe.
— Alex Sar (@alexmatthewsar) April 6, 2020
Prayers up Michael Hibberd's brother i hope him and his mate are safe somewhere. 🙏
— Andy Miller (@Andym14) April 6, 2020
Hope michael and his family find his lost sibling. Thoughts are with @melbournefc and michael hibberd.
— suzanne olsen (@aussiefootycom) April 6, 2020
with AAP
