Escape in dicey waters
POLICE are investigating after eight people were forced to abandon ship when their 4.3m vessel sank in crocodile infested waters in the Aurukun region.
Police were alerted to a sinking vessel near the mouth of the Kirk River, about two hours south of Aurukun, about 5pm on Wednesday.
Thursday Island Water Police co-ordinated a rescue, tasking a helicopter that needed to refuel at Weipa before reaching the scene.
Senior Sergeant Gary Hall from Aurukun Police Station said all eight people were found uninjured on a beach and returned home about 11pm.
“They used a mobile phone to contact triple-0 and it was relayed back to us and we spoke to Thursday Island Water Police who co-ordinated a response,” he said.
“(The eight people) were able to get out (of the sinking vessel), they weren’t far from shore and walked up onto the beach.
“They were trying to get into the Kirk River so I don’t know whether they were going camping or what they were doing.
“There were at least a couple of locals, with some relatives.”
Thursday Island Water Police officer-in-charge Sergeant Andrew Howie said the eight people on board ranged from 12-years-old to 40.
He said investigations into what caused the boat to sink were ongoing.
“Someone is going to speak with them on Friday to establish what exactly took place,” he said.
The Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed that no one needed to be taken to hospital.
A SMITHFIELD restaurant is serving up a new hot wing challenge to put even the biggest of chilli lovers to the test.
Heat enthusiasts can take on Burger Urge’s new southern fried chicken wings with three different sauces, each with varying spice levels that build up to a final spine-tingling sauce that is 700 times hotter than a jalapeño.
Vegos can also take part by swapping the chicken wings for cauliflower.
Burger Urge
Smithfield franchise owner Tom Whyte said the challenge was not for the faint hearted.
“I’m not game to try it myself, the milder sauces are enough for me,” he said.
The first 30 challengers will be awarded a key ring that proves their “hot-wing chops”.