Shock twist ahead of trial over Mandurah boating tragedy that killed two best friends

There’s been a major twist in a boating tragedy which claimed the lives of two women in the Mandurah estuary last year.

John Burdon, 47, the man allegedly responsible for killing two women when the boat he was navigating crashed in the Mandurah Estuary pleaded not guilty to two charges of manslaughter in October 2023.

Burdon was due to stand trial in the Supreme Court next week but 9 News Perth understands prosecutors will apply to drop the case against the boat owner at a court hearing on Thursday.

Burdon, is the husband of Debbie Burdon, 54, who died along with her best friend Kylie Bazzo, 52, around 10pm on January 21 when they were both flung from the vessel after it struck a red channel marker.

Burdon also received serious injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital while a fourth man was uninjured.

Bazzo was the mother of young West Coast Eagles recruit Rhett Bazzo, and widow of former WAFL great, Steve Bazzo.

Burden, was later arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter.

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