Wednesday, October 22, 2014 Issued at: 10.20am CAIRNS OVERNIGHT MEDIA RELEASE SEARCH & RESCUE, TORRES STRAIT: Two 25-year-old men came in for criticism from their rescuers yesterday following a poorly executed sea kayaking adventure. The pair had planned to paddle their craft through the Torres Strait from Punsand Bay on Cape York, across to Papua New Guinea and return. Thursday Island Water Police had spoken with the men and advised them not to undertake the crossing due to strong currents and weather conditions. Police from Bamaga also spoke with them on Monday and urged them not to attempt the voyage due to deteriorating weather conditions and risk to their safety. The men decided to attempt the crossing and departed Punsand Bay early yesterday morning. Water Police received a distress call at around 9.45am that the pair were in difficulties about seven nautical miles into the journey and were being swept westerly at about three knots per hour in very rough seas. Thursday Island Water Police deployed their rescue vessel and located the pair at about 11.30am. Officers dealt with 30 knot winds and three metre swells ahead of a storm front to rescue the two men and their craft. Neither of the men was injured or required any medical treatment from their ordeal and they were transported safely back to Punsand Bay. Torres Strait Patrol Inspector Dave Lacey said that it was difficult to understand what possessed the men to undertake the journey, “Police had spoken with the men on three separate occasions and urged them in the strongest possible terms not to attempt this journey. People undertaking these types of adventures really need to heed the advice of local residents because nothing beats local knowledge and experience. “Thursday Island Water Police have the experience gained through literally thousands of search and rescue operations, yet it would seem that their best advice has apparently fallen on deaf ears on this occasion”, Inspector Lacey said. WITNESSES SOUGHT TO BENTLEY PARK TRAFFIC CRASH: Edmonton Police are investigating a hit and run traffic crash that occurred at the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Robert Road on Sunday morning. An elderly man (pictured right with Edmonton Officer in Charge, Senior Sgt Jason Smith) was driving north on the Bruce Highway at around 8.45am when a south bound station wagon turned right from the highway into Robert Road and collided with the man’s hatchback. The driver of the station wagon failed to stop at the scene and is believed to have then turned into McLaughlin Road. The elderly man was not injured as a result of the collision however his hatchback was extensively damaged. The other vehicle is described as being a white 80 series (1990-1997 model) Toyota Land Cruiser station wagon. Police are seeking information from the public in an effort to identify the driver or the vehicle involved. Police reference # QP1401452355 Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.au 24hrs a day. Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service. For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444. Issued by: S/Const Russell Parker Cairns District Crime Prevention Office
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 00:37:44 +0000
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