Two men who drowned in rough waters off Melbourne’s southeast as wild weather smashed the country’s east have been identified.

A British national, aged 36, had been surfing at Frankston Beach when his board snapped in the rough waves, police say.

“Another man, known to the surfer, jumped into the water to attempt to help him, however both men began to struggle,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“Air Wing came to assist and both men were winched back to shore but could not be revived.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Detective Inspector Melissa Nixon said the British man was an inexperienced surfer.

“He (the surfer) wasn’t experienced at surfing, he had minimal experience,” Inspector Nixon said.

“His friend obviously thought he was in distress and jumped in to help him.”

Both

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