Road death probe
POLICE are investigating possible links between a woman’s death in a reported traffic incident and a wilful damage in a series of events that have stunned a rural town south of Townsville.
A 69-year-old Finch Hatton woman died in what police initially believed was a traffic incident on Zahmel St about 5.30pm Monday.
But Acting Detective Inspector Scott Ingram said further inquiries had indicated the woman’s death was suspicious, and potentially linked to an earlier wilful damage at a Boulder Rd property near Finch Hatton Gorge.
A Mackay man, 37, was taken into custody and is helping police with inquiries about the unusual series of events that included a police vehicle window being smashed.
Inspector Ingram said three incidents are being investigated, the first being a reported wilful damage at a Boulder Rd property about 12.30pm.
“Police were called to that address but the suspect offender has fled that scene,” he said. “A short time later, it appears the offender has stolen a vehicle from a nearby address in the same street.
“That vehicle is a Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD 2003 model. And then approximately 5.30pm yesterday, police were called to what they initially believed was a traffic incident (on Zahmel St).
“It would appear the female was put into the vehicle from an incident earlier in the day but we are yet to confirm that.
“The vehicle has stopped in Zahmel St.” The woman owned the Pajero at the centre of the ongoing investigation.
Inspector Ingram said officers found the 69-year-old woman in the back seat of the Pajero with a man performing CPR on her.
She died at the scene. Inspector Ingram said post-mortem results were yet to determine her injuries or how she died.
“At that time it was established the male was suspected to be involved in the previous incident but his involvement in the … death of the 69 year old is now the subject of an investigation,” he said.
It is believed the police vehicle was damaged as the man was taken into custody.
No charges have been filed.