Inquest into the disappearance and suspected deaths of Yue Ping Wang and Jilin Du

Male·Unable to determine; death by misadventure in the ocean near Black Rock, Steamers Beach, Jervis Bay

Two men, Yue Ping Wang and Jilin Du, disappeared while fishing at Black Rock, Steamers Beach, Jervis Bay on 21 or 22 January 2017. Their vehicles and fishing equipment were found at the location, but extensive search and rescue operations found no bodies. Coroner concluded both died by misadventure in the ocean near Black Rock based on circumstantial evidence: absence of any sightings post-disappearance, no evidence of leaving Australia or living elsewhere, and physical evidence placing them at the fishing location. Expert opinion indicated survival time in the water would have been less than 12 hours due to hypothermia, exhaustion and dehydration, with death likely occurring within minutes if beaten against rocks without lifejackets. No medical care was involved. Clinical lessons relate to water safety awareness and hypothermia risk in coastal fishing activities.