Naked tourist jumps into water off Fraser Island before holding cop under, biting another

When police found him he was naked and covered in urine to ‘conceal’ his scent from the island’s wild animals. Things only got worse from there.

A naked Mexican tourist, who went wild on Fraser Island while on a cocktail of cannabis and ‘mushrooms’, has fronted court.

Oscar Daniel Sierra Rosas jumped out of a car into the sea off Fraser Island before holding one police officer under water, biting another and spitting in the face of a paramedic.

The tourist, who had no prior criminal history, pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court to two counts of serious assault police and two counts of serious assault public officers.

The court heard about 3pm on July 15, police were called to reports of a naked man running on the road on the island.

When the officers spoke to Rosas’ friends, they told them he was manic depressive and hadn’t been taking his medication.

Police called in Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and paramedics to assist with the search.

Rosas was located naked in bushland area.

He told police he had removed his clothes and urinated on himself to conceal his smell because he was afraid he would be attacked by one of the island’s dangerous creatures.

He told police he had eaten “mushrooms and red berries”.

Rosas was “resting and calm” when he was waiting in a vehicle to be transported off the island.

But he then said he needed to urinate and jumped out of the vehicle, into the sea.

The court heard he was thrashing around in the water as officers tried to reach him and “rambling about wanting to kill himself”.

An altercation ensued between Rosas and the officers, who were unable to grab him because he was naked and wet.

One officer attempted to use capsicum spray, but it was ineffective.

The standoff continued for about half an hour, the court heard, with Rosas continuing to run back into the water.

The court heard Rosas first punched one officer who was trying to give assistance before he pushed a police officer under water for a number of seconds.

The officer punched Rosas in the face a number of times before again being forced under water, the court was told.

Rosas continued to resist the officers until Hervey Bay Water Police arrived and an officer came to the assistance of the other men.

A tourist attacked police during a trip to Fraser Island.

But as the officer tried to gain control over Rosas, he was bitten by the tourist on the right lower forearm, the court heard.

The officers gained enough control to move him to the beach and Rosas was injected with a sedative.

He then spat in the face of the paramedics assisting him, the court was told.

He was strapped down on a bed and taken off the island on the police boat.

Rosas had attended the police station later to apologise to officers for his behaviour and to thank them for their assistance.

He could remember his actions and was “clearly emotional and embarrassed by his actions,” the court heard.

Rosas was a Mexican national who was working as an accountant while in Australia.

His prospects of work had been impacted by COVID-19 and the visit to Fraser Island was meant to provide stress relief.

Rosas told the court the terrible events had sparked positive changes in his life.

“This incident has changed my life,” he said.

He said he had gone from feeling depressed about his work situation and being apart from his family, to finding ways to overcome his depression.

His depression caused him to just want to sleep, but since being in Hervey Bay he had been exercising and cooking, he said.

“Life has changed,” Rosas said.

“I’m so grateful.”

Rosas was sentenced to three months in prison, wholly suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete 12 months probation.

Do you need help? Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.