Search resumes for teen missing after boating accident on Lake Mulwala

The search for a 16-year-old boy who disappeared during a boating accident on a lake at Yarrawonga, on the NSW-Victorian border, has resumed.

Police said two 16-year-old boys were fishing from a tinny on Lake Mulwala just before 9:00am on Sunday when their boat was hit by a wave and overturned. 

Emergency services, including search and rescue officers, air-wing, SES and police divers scoured the lake yesterday and have resumed search efforts this morning.

Police said bystanders who witnessed the accident raced to help the boys, but were only able to pull one of them to safety.

The second boy disappeared from view before he could be rescued.

Mulwala Ski Club watersport coordinator Peter O'Neill said it was a heartbreaking situation.

"We raced to put our boat in as fast as possible and we got there as soon as possible.

Mr O'Neill said a number of boats rushed to help, including fishermen who were already out on the water.

Mr O'Neill said even small waves on the lake could be risky for small vessels.

"Where the boys had their accident it normally doesn't get very rough there, but it's not unusual for [waves] to be a foot tall there, maybe even two-foot tall on a bad day," he said.

Mr O'Neill said there had been an outpouring of support from the community.

"In small towns people throw their weight behind each other," he said.