Nelson Trevor CHAN and Joshua CHAN
Nelson Trevor CHAN and Joshua CHAN
Nelson -
Joshua -
Nelson Chan left his address with his son Joshua Chan on 19 August 2024. Their intention was to go rock fishing around the Kiama NSW area. Their vehicle was located outside Kiama Showground on the early hours of 20 August 2024 and other property was located about 50 metres away at Storm Bay. Nelson was last seen wearing a grey/beige long sleeve top, blue track pants, blue dive booties and a blue cap. Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Nelson are urged to anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.
“Grave concerns” are held for a father and his teenage son who went missing while rock-fishing near a popular tourist spot on the NSW South Coast.
Nelson Chan, 47, and his 17-year-old son Joshua are feared to have been swept into waters near the Kiama Blowhole after setting off on a father-son fishing trip on Monday.
The pair were last seen at Storm Bay about 5.30pm - almost three hours after they left their Liverpool home in southwest Sydney.
The Daily Telegraph reports the pair had remained in contact with family members until sunset, telling relatives they were “going good” and were on track to return home at midnight.
Their family raised the alarm when they had failed to return at 3am.
Marine Rescue deployed a search boat from nearby Port Kembla at sunrise.
Chan’s car was located, along with fishing gear and a mobile phone, along the rocks, NSW Police Superintendent Craig Ireland said.
“We are assuming they have entered the water ... no one has actually seen it occur, but given the location of the fishing gear and the lack of communication, that’s the most likely scenario,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
The search was called off on Tuesday afternoon, however, additional Marine Rescue units plan to join the operation when it resumes about 7am on Wednesday, conducting patterns determined by police.
“There was a large swell operating, and a high tide last night, at the time they were fishing,” Ireland said, adding that while the fishermen are good swimmers, they are not believed to have taken life jackets with them.
“The best-case scenario is they’ve found something, a flotation-type material they can hang onto,” he said.
“They are capable swimmers, we know that, but there’s been no sightings of them, so we’re just hoping for the best.”
The family said the pair were familiar with the spot and had gone fishing there last week.
“We have spoken briefly with the family ... and the man’s wife is most upset and devastated,” he said.
The search has involved officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, Marine Area Command, Police Divers, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, PolAir, Marine Rescue, SES, and Surf Life Saving NSW.
Anyone with information is urged to contact NSW Police.
A heartbreaking plea has been made for the family of a “devoted” father and his son missing after a fishing trip.
Colleagues of a man who went missing alongside his son while fishing off a popular tourist spot on the NSW south coast have made a desperate plea for help.
Nelson Chan, 47, and his 17-year-old son Joshua failed to return home from a fishing trip to Storm Bay, south of Kiama, in the Illawarra region last week.
The pair’s family first raised the alarm after the two men did not come home as planned, and despite a desperate search by police have not been located.
With the search operation since abandoned, colleagues of Mr Chan said the pair’s disappearance had left “loved ones and the community heartbroken”.
It comes as they seek to raise funds to support Mr Chan’s family and honour the “memory of a remarkable man and his son” through a GoFundMe campaign.
“Nelson was more than just a colleague; he was a cherished member of our work family,” organiser Adriana Surace said.
“He always went above and beyond to help others, both in the workplace and in his community.
“His infectious smile, daily morning fist bumps, and warm personality touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Ms Surace described the missing dad as a “devoted husband and father” who “worked tirelessly to provide for his family”.
“His sudden and heartbreaking loss has left his wife and family in profound grief and financial uncertainty,” she said.
“The funds will go directly towards easing their financial burden, helping them with essential expenses.
“And, providing them with the stability they need as they navigate this unimaginable loss of two loved ones.”
The campaign had raised more than $10,000 in just one day as of Wednesday afternoon, with a further $15,000 before its target.
Mr Chan, originally from southwestern Sydney, was experienced fisherman and was due to arrive home at midnight on Tuesday August 20.
The pair had left home about 3pm Monday and texted family about two hours later to explain they were “going good”.
Tragically, by 1.30pm on Thursday NSW Police confirmed they had called off the large-scale multi-agency search for the pair.