Rough surf caused the rescue boat to flip, tossing the three lifesavers into the ocean.
Cr Trotter said it was a notoriously dangerous area, particularly at Easter, and Port Campbell was "in a state of disbelief" after the double drowning.
An emergency helicopter managed to winch one of the rescuers and the tourist out of the water, however the father and son's bodies were later found in the water. They were declared deceased at the scene.
Mayor Neil Trotter said Easter weekend typically brings "notoriously big seas" to the Port Campbell area.Credit:Nine News
The surviving rescue worker, a man in his 50s, has injuries to his back and legs and has been airlifted to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition.
The tourist who was swept into the water suffered hypothermia and was taken by road ambulance to the Warrnambool hospital in a stable condition.
Cr Trotter said Port Campbell lifesavers were “on edge” every Easter, as a mass of tourists arrive to especially dangerous sea conditions.
“We have notoriously big seas down here at Easter. We get king tides at Easter, there are large waves coming into the shore and a strong undertow that can pull people away very quickly,” he said.
Cr Trotter confirmed the location where the tourist was rescued, at the entrance to Sherbrook River, was a “notoriously unsafe beach” outside the lifesaving patrol area.
An emotional Life Saving Victoria president Paul James said the close-knit volunteer community was in mourning.
“The two men [who died] were both highly experienced and long-serving members," he said.
"They were called to assist a patient in the water, they ventured out as a group of three rescuers in a six-metre rigid hull inflatable boat. For whatever reason, that boat got into difficulty.”
Mr James said initial investigations found all three lifesavers had been wearing life jackets.
“It’s just terrible, it’s heartbreaking,” he said.
“The boat was operating in two-metre swell ... we know it’s treacherous down there.
“These brave people, these heroes, have gone out to try and help.”
Earlier reports suggested the 30-year-old tourist was taking photographs when he was swept off a rock at the mouth of the river, but emergency services now say this was not the case.
Another rescue boat near Port Campbell.Credit:Nine News
A worker at the Alcove Cafe in Port Campbell said that helicopters could be heard in town since the incident.
The Port Campbell Hotel said on Facebook that live music at the venue had been cancelled due to the "heart breaking tragedy in our community".
Life Saving Victoria on Thursday urged Victorians to be safe around water this Easter long weekend, citing research that reveals Australians are twice as likely to drown on a public holiday.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
Michael is a reporter for The Age.
Matilda reports breaking news for The Age
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