Constable saves alleged brawler from raging river

A MAN who attempted to evade police by swimming across the Ross River had to be rescued by a young officer after he got into trouble in the strong current.

Townsville District Tactical Services Inspector Sean Dugger said the 28-year-old Heatley man fled a “large disturbance” where a group of people were fighting on Ross River Rd, Kirwan, about 5pm on Sunday.

Insp Dugger said police followed the man to Black Weir.

“He’s entered the waterway and began to swim across,” he said.

“He got three quarters of the way across the Ross River when he obviously began to get into difficulties and began screaming for assistance.

“And actually at one stage he was seen to go below and bobbing up and down.”

Insp Dugger said a constable swam after the man “fearing for his safety” and had to contend with “strong currents due to the recent floodwaters”.

He said the incident could have been a “tragedy” if it was not for the quick “commendable” actions of the constable.

“He was able to get to him in quick time and extricate him on the far side,” he said.

“It was a matter of minutes, a very short amount of time.

“The river, as I said before, was quite difficult to traverse with all the extra volume of water flowing down.

“(The man’s) health was checked and he was found to be uninjured.”

The man was taken to the Townsville Watch-house where he was given bail for obstruct police, public nuisance.

He is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on March 5.

Insp Dugger said the man arrested was one of two whom police allegedly saw trading punches in the large brawl.

He said another two people were arrested and charged with similar offences following the disturbance.

Insp Dugger said people must co-operate with police and warned “poor choices” could make situations worse.