New focus in death
POLICE are considering whether an underlying medical condition played a factor in the shock death of a young boy in a Cairns park past week.
The 12-year-old was involved in a “scuffle” between a group of boys at Shang Park at Mooroobool last Thursday evening before he collapsed unconscious and could not be revived. He was later declared dead at Cairns Hospital.
The Cairns Post understands an autopsy was performed on Friday with police now focusing on the boy’s medical history.
A police spokesman said there was no one in custody and no charges had been laid.
“We are continuing to liaise with the family,” he said.
“They are obviously deeply traumatised.”
It is understood police are now preparing a report for the coroner.
It was revealed on Saturday police had been probing the impact chroming had on the event and the boy’s death following reports from witnesses that his group had been inhaling intoxicating substances.
The boy, who has family links to Thursday Island and Mabuiag Island in the Torres Strait, was among dozens of children in the park when the alleged stoush took place.
Police alleged a group arrived and became involved in an altercation with the boy’s group before he collapsed.
Nearby resident George Sailor stepped in to perform CPR before emergency services arrived.
Plaudits have poured in for the 20-year-old A grade Cairns District Rugby League referee who was first to lay flowers at the scene on Friday morning.
The former Peace Lutheran College school captain was described as a “remarkable individual”.