Emanuel Gatt faces court for fatal Rubyanna boat crash

The daughter of a Bundaberg fisherman who died in a boating tragedy is searching for answers as the alleged driver faces court for the first time.

The heartbroken daughter of a beloved grandfather who died while fishing held back tears at a Bundaberg courthouse while seeking answers on the tragedy.

Desmond “Des” Muller, 85, died on March 14 after he and Emanuel Gatt, allegedly the driver of the boat, were thrown into the Burnett River near Strathdees Boat Ramp at Rubyanna.

Despite the best efforts of witnesses and paramedics, Mr Muller died at the scene.

Mr Gatt, 82, has been charged in relation to the incident and a first hearing was held at Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday, November 10.

Mr Muller’s daughter Elizabeth Graham attended the hearing in a bid to find some closure and answers.

“I want to know what happened, you know, how he got thrown out of the boat,” she said, holding back tears.

“I just need to know what happened.”

Witnesses to the incident said they saw a driverless boat turning circles on river, and two heads in the water.

Noah Billios (left) performed CPR on Mr Muller after pulling him and the driver of the boat from the water. Photo: Screenshot from 7 News Wide Bay

Noah Billios, who had been on a fishing trip to Burnett Heads with his uncle and cousin, told reporters at the time that they approached the two men in distress and pulled them into their boat.

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He said one of the men, later identified as Mr Muller, “wasn’t doing too well”.

While Mr Billios performed CPR on Mr Muller, Mr Billios’ uncle steered the boat to the boat ramp, and the group carried Mr Muller into the nearby Bundaberg Sailing Club where an attempt was made to revive him with a defibrillator owned by the club.

Mr Muller was announced dead by Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics at Bundaberg Sailing Club after unsuccessful attempts to save his life.

Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics also performed CPR on Mr Muller in an unsuccessful attempt to save his life.

It was reported at the time that the other man was taken to hospital with cuts to his arms.

Desmond “Des” Muller was farewelled by family at a funeral service at the Branyan Gardens chapel on March 28.

Mr Gatt faces one charge of general obligation on persons involved with operation of ship to operate it safely caused death.

The matter was adjourned to December 8, with Mr Gatt released on bail.

Speaking after the hearing, Elizabeth, aged in her late 50s, said fishing was her father Des’ life.

“Fishing was my dad’s life, it was something to do, he always went fishing,” she said.

“But you don’t expect them not to come home.”

Emanuel Gatt appeared in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday facing one charge of general obligation on persons involved with operation of ship to operate it safely caused death/GBH.

She said her dad would often take her, older sister Catherine and younger brother Darren on camping and fishing trips at Miara Caravan Park.

“He used to take all of us kids fishing because we used to go fishing every Easter,” she said.

Bundaberg born and bred, having grown up in Avondale, Des would often go fishing with friends, albeit less often as the years went by, and would frequent Burnett Heads port to check in with the returning fisherman and trawlers.

“He used to hang around down at Burnett Heads watching the boats come in and ask them how many fish they caught,” Elizabeth said.

Mr Muller's wife, Noelene, had dementia at the time of her husband's passing, which Ms Graham said was "a blessing".

On the day of the accident, Elizabeth was visiting her mother and Des’ wife of 60 years, Noelene, at Palm Lake Care in Bargara.

Noelene had developed dementia over the three years prior, and had moved into the nursing home while Des stayed at their Windermere house.

“So she really didn’t know about all this sort of thing, which is a blessing,” Elizabeth said.

Mr Muller's daughter, Elizabeth Graham (left) attended the first hearing of her father's matter in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday supported by her friend, Amanda Stirrat (right).

After Elizabeth said goodbye to Noelene and returned home, Catherine arrived around 3.30pm to tell her the tragic news.

Elizabeth said she was “shocked” at the realisation that her father had not returned from his fishing trip, refusing to believe it at first.

“I sent my sister a message later on (saying) ‘are you sure it was him, how do you know it was him?’,” she said.

“It seemed to be a bit unreal; but when I went to his house and there was noone there, that’s when I knew.”

Elizabeth has found the lack of information about the cause of the crash frustrating, which is why she attended the first hearing and will continue to do so in the months ahead as the case works its way through the courts.

“Nobody said anything to use about what actually happened, so that’s why I was at the court case; because I want to know what happened,” she said.

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