Man charged with aggravated assault after attacking ferry passenger, jumping overboard
A MAN had to be rescued from the ocean after allegedly attacking another passenger on a Tiwi Islands ferry, before then jumping overboard
Northern Territory
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A MAN had to be rescued from the ocean after allegedly attacking another passenger on the Bathurst Island ferry before jumping overboard while it was under way.
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The man has since been charged with aggravated assault.
NT Police Northern Watch Commander Siiri Tennosaar said the passenger had to be rescued from the water by staff on the ferry from Darwin to Bathurst Island.
“A 34-year-old male has been arrested following a disturbance on a ferry travelling between Darwin and Bathurst Island,” she said.
“Police were alerted to the incident just after 4pm (Sunday) with ferry staff reporting the male had assaulted another passenger and then jumped overboard.”
A witness, who did not want to be named, said one person was talking about “belting his partner and some other bloke who didn’t respect him”.
“He then went upstairs and the drama continued (I was down stairs) and moments later we saw a man jump off the boat,” the witness said.
“Another jumped in, I think to save him.
“The boat stopped and manoeuvred to be closer. They both got back on board, a few hundred metres later the main drunk fella jumps again.”
The witness said a police boat met up with the ferry about an hour out from the islands to manage the situation.
“Upon docking, one man was taken off in cuffs, another on a stretcher in recovery position,” he said.
Snr Sgt Tennosaar said the man was taken into custody and will face court on Tuesday.
“The male was retrieved from the water before a police vessel arrived and took the male into custody,” she said.
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“He has been charged with aggravated assault and cause substantial annoyance and has been bailed to appear in Wurrumiyanga Local Court on Tuesday.”
Originally published as Man charged with aggravated assault after attacking ferry passenger, jumping overboard