WATERFALL TRAGEDY

Grief at suburban beauty spot after 19-year-old woman dies

DISTRAUGHT family members yesterday visited Isabella Falls at Edmonton where a 19-year-old woman plunged to her death on Monday.

The mother of the Manunda woman was seen crying while being supported by her partner spending some time at the scene.

Nearby residents expressed their sadness and warned of the dangers of the area.

But Cairns Regional Council chief executive Mica Martin said the council had no control of the sites.

DISTRAUGHT family members visited the scene for the first time after a 19-year-old Manunda woman plunged to her death on Monday at a waterfall south of Cairns.

The mother of the girl was seen crying while being supported by her partner spending some time at Isabella Falls.

Residents who live near the Edmonton waterfall want safety addressed at the site. The Edmonton and Manunda communities were still coming to grips with the death of the 19-year-old woman.

It’s believed she plunged from the popular falls resulting in fatal injuries.

The tragedy comes just months after the body of Edmonton teen Chloe Narelle Bailey was found at the Babinda Boulders in December.

Cairns Regional Council chief executive officer Mica Martin offered her “deepest condolences to the family and friends” of the victim, but said the council was powerless to improve safety at Isabella Falls. “Council does not promote Isabella Falls on our website. However, we know there are many online forums that have made locations such as this popular, which are easily accessible via a Google search,” she said. “Council has no control over these sites.”

Edmonton’s Natawan Jensen described the waterfall as too treacherous for her two sons, aged 14 and 15.

“I would never let them out there by themselves,” she said.

“Even without the rain, I say don’t go up there. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Edmonton’s Sue Hughes, who has lived in the area for 26 years, said “it is not a tourist waterfall” and had become “too dangerous”.

“It’s been raining for weeks, so it’s so slippery, there’s no return if you’re up on the top,” she said.

“Once you get up there, it’s so high you lose your balance. It’s so sad.”

Terri Cantarella-Knight, who formerly lived next to the attraction on Rainforest Rd, said the sounds of helicopters and ambulances rushing to the site were not uncommon.

“Having been born here in ’66, I’ve seen so many people die up there,” she said.

Kay Oliver, who also lives on the road to Isabella Falls, said she felt for the young woman’s family.

“A young woman has had her life cut short,” she said.

Cairns Police Acting inspector Glen De Lai said that it was a sad reminder of the dangers some waterfalls and walking tracks could pose in the Far North, especially in slippery conditions.

Queensland Police, the State Emergency Service and Queensland Ambulance Service all attended the scene on Monday.

“Police do remind members of the public to be mindful around waterfalls particularly with the recent weather event,” he said.

The woman’s death was not suspicious. A police spokesman said a report to the coroner would consider whether it was a case of misadventure.