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A mum will make the devastating trip home without her husband, and her two children without their grandfather, after a fishing trip off the South Australian coast took a tragic turn.
Tom Eckert, 40, was killed alongside his father Paul after the boat they were travelling on was hit by a wave and capsized off Spilsby Island on Monday.
Tom's 12-year-old nephew, 44-year-old brother Danny, and the boat's captain 71-year-old Alan Bottrill, were also thrown overboard.
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Danny and his son survived after they were spotted by a rescue helicopter clinging to a reef about 2am.
The 44-year-old, who works as a sleep researcher, had spoken to 9News about his work just days before the tragedy.
The duo were winched to safety and flown to an Adelaide hospital where Danny's son remains.
After an extensive search involving water police, PolAir and even a passing cruise ship, the body of Bottrill was located about 9am yesterday.
It's understood the ship's high vantage point made it easier for passengers and crews to locate the bodies of Bottrill and Tom.
Passenger Christina told 9News she woke to aircraft lights overhead and fishing trawlers surrounding the ship.
"We did turn around and go back, the captain sounded the horn," she said.
Passengers credited the Captain's dedication to finding the men.
"We could actually see the captain and someone else with binoculars literally sitting there all day trying to scan the ocean," another passenger said.
Bottrill's family today thanked passengers and crew, in a statement paying tribute to the 71-year-old.
"Alan was 71 years old and still very much an adventurer who loved fishing, golfing and travelling with friends and family," they said.
"He leaves behind a wife, two children and two grandchildren who will miss him very much."
