A marlin has seriously injured two brothers in an inflatable boat near Coffs Harbour.
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Police said the two men were seriously injured in the bizarre boating accident off Wooli on Thursday May 23.
The Coffs/Clarence Police District said the men, aged 46 and 48, were travelling with a third man, aged 46, in a five metre rigid hull inflatable boat in the Solitary Islands Marine Park around midday.
The large Marlin had reportedly breached the water and crashed into two men on board.
The fish, which they estimated weighed between 80 and 100 kilograms, had collided with the brothers on board the vessel, which had been travelling at 21 knots or 40km/h.
The marlin's sharp bill sliced open the younger brother's lower right arm, causing an open fracture.
The older brother suffered a deep cut to his right shoulder.
The third man was not harmed and the fish had left the boat back into the water.
Police from the Coffs/Clarence Police District and the Marine Area Command were notified as the younger brother was flown by a Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital.
The other injured man was transported by road to the same hospital. Police said their injuries were not considered life threatening.