Man dies after ute fall

Friend charged with dangerous driving

A BIRTHDAY party in a remote Cape York community has ended in tragedy after a man died two days after he fell from a ute tray driven by a friend.

Police have alleged alcohol was a “significant contributing factor” in the crash which took place early on Sunday morning at Hope Vale, north of Cooktown.

The 25-year-old driver of the Toyota LandCruiser, a local man, is due to face the Cairns Magistrates Court today charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death.

It is alleged as the ute pulled away from an Elim Rd home, a 31-year-old Cooktown man fell from the tray and hit his head on the roadway. He died in hospital. Cairns Forensic Crash Unit’s Sergeant Scott Ezard said it was believed there were at least seven people riding in the back of the ute when the man fell.

It is alleged they left the party and had stopped to drop a passenger off about 2.45am, with the man falling as the vehicle pulled away.

“Our investigations are focusing on the manner in which the car was being driven and intoxication is believed to have been a significant contributing factor of the driver and the occupants on or in the vehicle,” he said.

The group had left one home where a birthday celebration had taken place and were on their way to another home when the incident took place.

Sgt Ezard said the crash was not immediately reported to emergency services with the group initially loading the injured man onto the back of the ute and taking him to a local medical centre.

He said the delay in reporting the incident meant no alcohol breath tests were able to be conducted on anyone involved.

“Police only became aware a number of hours after the incident,” he said.

Police have called for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them. Detectives and the Forensic Crash Unit are investigating.

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