Flood victim found
Fisherman discovers body in mangroves
POLICE are warning people to stay away from floodwaters after the body of missing man Rowan Kahn was found in a swollen Cairns creek.
The 28-year-old Normanton man was reported missing on Saturday.
Mr Kahn left a Westcourt address with a family friend about 4am before walking down to a Chinaman Creek canal near the intersection of Brophy and Dillon streets and entering the water.
Clothing belonging to Mr Kahn was found on the creek bank by friends that morning.
A police spokesman said officers weren’t able to find the man after searching for him.
He said a fisherman found the man’s body about 10am yesterday in mangroves near Trinity Inlet, but there were no suspicious circumstances.
Police have warned Cairns residents not to swim in flooded waterways after the discovery of Mr Kahn’s body.
Chief Superintendent Brian Huxley said the flooded creeks were too hazardous to cross while a tropical low dumped water over the Far North.
“There are times when you can lay down in Chinamans Creek and it is chest deep in water,” C/Supt Huxley said.
“The difference is that the water is flowing very swiftly – this was the case when this gentleman attempted to cross.
“If it is flooded, we would encourage people not to enter the creek. It is impossible to say how fast the water is flowing – you don’t know what is underneath.”
The cause of Mr Kahn’s death is expected to be determined by a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile the search for a missing Rossville woman has been suspended due to poor weather. Police have halted the search for Ebony King, 34, as wild weather from a tropical low lashes Cape York.
In the 24 hours leading to 9am yesterday, Cooktown had recorded 142mm of rain.
Ms King disappeared after wading into the swollen Wallaby Creek near a causeway at Rossville between Cape Tribulation and Cooktown about 6pm on Thursday last week.
Friends have posted messages of support on social media.
“Hoping she’s been strand- ed and will be returning soon. Eb is as tough as they make them and at home in the bush so if someone has a chance … then she does,” one wrote.
“They’ve gotta find her! She is too strong of a soul to be taken,” another posted.
Millie Mae, who grew up with Ms King, wrote on social media that her friend was a “strong hard-headed Rossville chick.”