The loss of life a ‘tragedy’

THERE can be a high price to be paid when stolen cars are involved, Burdekin MP Dale Last says.

The Opposition police spokesman said on Friday that North Queensland had now lost another life in an incident involving a stolen vehicle.

This follows the death of Robert Malayta in the Ross River.

The 18-year-old fled from a stolen vehicle into the Ross River after police deployed stingers to stop the vehicle he was in.

His body was pulled from the river just before noon.

“My thoughts are with the family fam of the young yo person and an the emergency ge services who wh gave their all in an attempt tem to save the th person. Regardless ga of the circumstances, the th loss of a life is a tragedy,” Mr Last (pictured) said.

“In recent days we have seen some offenders boasting about their antics and glorifying breaking the law. This event proves that there can be an extremely high price to be paid when stolen vehicles are involved.

“The community have a right to demand answers because this cannot be allowed to continue.”

Mr Malayta’s death follows that of a teenager in Cairns, when a 14-year-old boy died in a stolen car crash.

In February 2021, Townsville woman Jennifer Board died in a crash involving a stolen vehicle on Riverway Drive.

In a statement from the three state Labor MPS Aaron Harper, Les Walker and Scott Stewart, they said it was tragic event. “This is tragic for everyone involved, including the man’s family, police and all our emergency services,” they said.

“As a police investigation is underway, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the incident.”