Man declared dead after getting into trouble at Qld waterfall

Police have urged tourists and residents to consider their safety while swimming at Far North Queensland waterholes, following the death of an international tourist on Monday.

Josephine Falls is a the tiered waterfall on the Josephine Creek in World Heritage listed wet tropics rainforest. Picture: Brendan Radke

Police have urged tourists and residents to consider their safety while swimming at Far North Queensland waterholes, following the death of an international tourist on Monday.

The tragedy follows a rash of drownings and near-drownings in Far North Queensland waterways over the past month.

On Monday afternoon, emergency services responded to reports of a swimmer needing medical attention after getting into trouble at Josephine Falls, about 30km south of Cairns, just after 2pm.

Senior Sergeant District Duty Officer Rob Campbell confirmed the man in his 30s, had been swimming in a restricted area at the time.

“A male person was swimming with a friend at the falls area and later became involved in some difficulty … and went under water,” Sgt Campbell said.

Sgt Campbell said the man had been under water for around five minutes when police arrived before commencing CPR.

Senior Sergeant District Duty Officer Rob Campbell urged tourists and residents to consider their safety while swimming at waterholes around Far North Queensland, after an international tourist died while swimming at Josephine Falls on Monday afternoon. Photo: Catherine Duffy.

“Unfortunately police and other services were unable to revive the man and he was declared deceased at the scene,” he said.

Following the incident, Sgt Campbell urged tourists and residents to be mindful of their safety while swimming around Far North Queensland, particularly during the wet season.

“Certainly members of the public attending for a recreational swim or hiking should be mindful of the dangers,” he said.

“Those waters can become very treacherous due to the amount of rainfall that comes through (and) due to the slippery nature of the rocks – often our attendance there is because of people swimming in the wrong areas, the restricted areas, such as this pool.”

Josephine Falls is a the tiered waterfall on the Josephine Creek in World Heritage listed wet tropics rainforest. Picture: Brendan Radke

Sgt Campbell said police worked closely with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to increase safety signage and security patrols around areas where drowning incidents have occurred.

“At this time of the year, we’re working with the agencies to raise public awareness about the nature of these areas,” he said.

“We have had a number of incidents within last couple of weeks and months that have included not only serious injuries, but fatalities, so we’re very mindful of the need for not only the public to be aware of the restricted nature of the swimming areas, but the dangers that exist in these areas.”

In addition to personal safety, Sgt Campbell said the terrain around waterholes could make rescue and retrieval operations difficult for first responders.

Emergency Services at Josephine Falls where a number of swimmers got stuck on Monday afternoon. PIC: Elisabeth Champion

“These areas are difficult to access at the best of times and anyone who’s been there will understand the distance that has to be walked in and the terrain is necessarily difficult as well,” he said.

“Access is generally over rugged terrain so there’s a greater risk in the hand of emergency responders who are going into these areas to rescue people.”

On Monday, the Queensland Fire Department said it sent four vehicles to the waterfall in the Wooroonooran National Park.

“We had a report that there was a person in the water and they needed assistance to be removed from the water,” a spokeswoman said.

Josephine Falls has warning signs advising access to the top pool is prohibited. Picture: Supplied.

Queensland Ambulance Service also responded but police and firefighters arrived first and rendered medical assistance to the drowned man.

“We have got a crew responding to that, it looks like a possible post-immersion,” a spokeswoman said.

According to police initial information indicated a person entered the water about 2pm and was found unresponsive at 2.40pm.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife services have installed warning signs at Josephine Falls which indicate to swimmers when it is safe to swim, when to exercise caution and when to stay out of the water at the popular swimming hole. The installation of the warning signs came one month after a coronial inquest into two deaths at the waterfall recommended a warning system be installed. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Officers on scene administered medical assistance, however the man aged in his 30s couldn’t be saved and was declared dead at the scene.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the non-suspicious death.

Josephine Falls is a double drop waterfall fed by waters descending Queensland’s highest peak, Bartle Frere.

The waterfall has been the scene of multiple fatalities and is known for rapidly rising water and dangerous no-go sections.

The latest Far North creek incident follows the near drowning of a 23-year-old man at the Babinda Boulders on Friday.

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Originally published as Man declared dead after getting into trouble at Qld waterfall