DANGER IS IN OUR NATURAL BEAUTY

SADNESS envelopes the town of Babinda and the Far North as another life is claimed in our rugged natural wonderland. Mesmerising and seemingly irresistible the Babinda Boulders and its devilish pools have taken at least 19 lives in 60 years.

Their latest victim is a 19-year-old Edmonton woman located in the water about 8am on Tuesday after reportedly falling in about 2.45pm on Monday.

Another victim, another heartbroken family.

Again the small town of Babinda is left to wonder what more can be done to protect the lives of those who visit there.

Babinda resident of 35 years and Babinda State Hotel owner Kitty Anning and Babinda Chamber of Commerce president and owner of Roddo’s News Babinda Rodney Edwards echo what local residents are feeling.

The sirens always forewarn their deepest dread as emergency services travel through their main street to attend the errie scene.

Once only a playground for locals, visitors far and wide now go there but even those familiar with the waterways can fall foul of its danger if not respectful.

Some suggest we may need to list the victims’ names and the dates of their tragedies as a stark warning to those who tread there.

However, I fear they would do as much good as roadside crosses on our national highway.

Just as tragedy has gripped Tasmania in the lead-up to Christmas with the jumping castle fatalities, the Far North too feels heartbreak and sends its condolences to the family of this young woman.

We live in a beautiful part of the world, but as this has shown, its beauty can be deadly. Jennifer Spilsbury Editor