An 'inexperienced' Briton drowned after his surfboard broke during a storm. His friend died trying to save him

An “inexperienced” British man, 36, drowned after his board broke during a storm in the Australian state of Victoria. His 43-year-old friend died trying to save him.

PHOTO: ABC News video capture

Police were called to Frankston Beach, about 45km south-east of Melbourne, on Wednesday afternoon after receiving reports that two men were in danger in the water, writes the BBC.

A police helicopter arrived in about 15 minutes and the two men were lifted from the water and brought to shore, but neither could be revived. The officer who retrieved them was treated in hospital after swallowing water and later discharged.

Neither man has been formally identified as police have yet to notify their families. A report will be drawn up for each of them for the coroner.

Police said they warned the public not to enter the water on Wednesday, October 22 due to strong winds, with the state facing gusts of up to 130 km/h.

Detective Melissa Nixon said the 36-year-old surfer had “minimum experience” and “looks like he's just learning to surf.”

“The weather conditions yesterday were obviously not suitable for getting in the water to surf, experienced or not”she stated.

The other man, aged 43, saw his friend in distress and struggling with the waves after the surfboard broke.

“He actually jumped into the water to help him, but the conditions were so dangerous that, unfortunately, he also succumbed to the waves and currents”Nixon said.

She described the scenes of the two men being pulled from the water as disturbing and said the two deaths could have been prevented. Nixon urged people to avoid surfing or swimming in dangerous weather conditions.