KAYAKING TRAGEDY

FATAL ADVENTURE

THE Far North’s most difficult rescue operation in recent years has ended in tragedy.

A 37-year-old Sydney kayaker was trapped in fast flowing water on the North Johnstone River, Wooroonooran National Park, for more than 24 hours when his kayak became wedged in rocks after going over a waterfall on Thursday.

The man had been kayaking with four other people who activated a distress beacon, prompting a search and rescue operation.

It is understood the victim was the first of the group to attempt to travel down that section of rapids.

Sadly, after a challenging and an extensive rescue operation, the man’s body was retrieved by crews yesterday afternoon.

He was declared dead at the scene and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The group of four men and one woman, from New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, are understood to be experienced kayakers who had planned this paddling trip to Far North Queensland.

The four other kayakers were retrieved by Rescue 510 helicopter yesterday morning and returned to Malanda.

It’s understood they last heard the Sydney man calling out about 6pm on Thursday.

Queensland Fire and Emer- gency Services Area Commander for the Western Command, Inspector Shane Jarvis co-ordinated the rescue along with police.

He said 12 experienced swift water rescue operators conducted the rescue, including one of Australia’s leading swift water technicians.

“It’s been one of our more difficult rescues in recent times due to the sheer remoteness and the difficulty of access,” he said. “It was a very experienced group of people that co-ordinated an adventure down the North Johnstone River before one has come into some trouble.”

Tablelands Inspector Rolf Straatemeier said more than 50 people from aircrews to emergency service officers, SES and council workers joined the rescue operation.

The location was only accessible by river or air.

Tinaroo Canoe Club vicepresident Greg Woon said Far Northern rivers could be unforgiving even to the most experienced of kayakers.

“I’ve paddled down the Johnstone River before, it’s very rough and fast flowing and rocky,” he said.

“You’ve got to have a lot of experience in that sort of water.”

Adventure Equipment Cairns owner Mark Shergold said the North Johnstone River provided some rough conditions.

“It’s Grade 5 water … that’s big water up there,” he said.

Pictures: STEWART McLEAN FINAL BRIEFING: Emergency services personnel prepare to fly out to rescue a kayaker who became trapped in the North Johnstone River near Malanda on Thursday afternoon.

JOINING FORCES: Inspector Shane Jarvis from QFES and Inspector Rolf Straatemeier of QPS.

CO-ORDINATING ROLE: QFES commander Shane Jarvis with State Emergency Services area controller James Gegg and swift water crew member Josh Hyde.

LIFT-OFF: A rescue helicopter in flight.