Ipswich family open up after terrifying David Trumpy Bridge sighting

A family has shared their horror as their day of Christmas cheer was marred when they witnessed a tragedy. WARNING: CONFRONTING

Ipswich family open up after terrifying David Trumpy Bridge sighting

Families at an Ipswich shopping centre Christmas parade were confronted by graphic scenes Saturday morning when a dead body was discovered along the Bremer River.

Police were investigating after the body was found before 10am below the David Trumpy Bridge.

Ipswich parent Chikondi Clarke said she went to Riverlink shopping centre with her young family for Santa’s Arrival Christmas parade and was later confronted by what was understood to have been a body mostly covered by a white sheet.

“We went, we had the parade, then coming back my partner was like ‘is that a white sheet across the river?’”

Ms Clarke said they were standing outside Goodlife Health Club around 11am and could see that there was “clearly a white sheet over a body”.

“We’re like ‘oh my goodness that’s a body,” she recounted.

Ms Clarke said while Santa was outside iPlay bowling alley talking to the children, the body could be seen from next door near Goodlife.

“It was very public … If we could see it, everyone could see it,” she said.

Ms Clarke said her children, aged 2 and 11 months, thankfully did not see what was happening, and that they had left quickly after seeing police put a blue tarp over the body.

A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed the incident was not regarded as suspicious but could not confirm the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson confirmed they had attended an incident in North Ipswich on Saturday morning near Pine and East streets.

Members of Facebook reported seeing a heavy police and ambulance presence near the bridge, with one community group member commenting they “knew it was serious” when they saw around six police cars and three ambulances at the scene.

This incident follows a local family’s petition earlier this year to install barriers along the edge of the David Trumpy Bridge, after the tragic death of their loved one to suicide.

The petition is still active and has garnered the support of over 500 people.

Division 3 councillors Marnie Doyle and Andrew Fechner voiced their support last year for a formal TMR risk assessment of the bridge and consideration of anti-throw screen installation.

Cr Doyle said at the time, “This issue has been a concern to council and the community for many years and we have contacted the government in an attempt to get something done on a state-controlled road and bridge, given this, I am extremely disappointed that it hasn’t been addressed and funding allocated before now”.

If you or someone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.