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Two Aussie surfers missing in Mexico believed dead in "tragic event"

Xinhua, November 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

Two Western Australian surfers missing in Mexico are believed to be dead after two bodies were found in a burnt out van on Sunday.

The two men, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, both 33 from Golden Bay in Perth's northern suburbs, were last seen leaving a ferry in Topolobampo on the night of Nov. 20 and had not contacted anyone since.

But the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday it had received news of "distressing developments" at the weekend, which had been passed on to the pair's families.

The surfers' blue and white camper van was found in Navolato, one of the most dangerous areas of the country due to gang activity.

The pair had been on a surfing trip, and according to the girlfriend of one of the men, they had "solid plans and reservations" to be at Guadalajara by Nov. 21 but never arrived at their accommodation.

Family members of the two men are due to travel to Mexico this week, with one of the victim's girlfriend posting on Facebook saying that she was "On my way to get some answers".

Andrea Gomez, the girlfriend of Coleman, has spoken to the Associated Press, telling the news agency that they're expecting the worst.

"Everything points to it being them because the van matches, it had a bicycle," Gomez said.

"But nothing is confirmed yet. Josie (Lucas' girlfriend) is arriving from Canada today and early Monday we are going to leave for Culiacan (state capital of Sinaloa) to see the bodies and do DNA tests."

Parents of the pair seem to have confirmation of their deaths after they posted tribute on social media on Monday morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the families and issued a statement on their behalf on Sunday, saying they were aware the van has been found and a "tragic event" had occurred.

"The families hold deep fears for the safety of their sons, but stress that they are still waiting for details to be confirmed," the statement said.

"We ask for privacy during this enormously difficult time." Endit