Ross Tighe hid in bushes to escape after family allegedly slain on Bogie property

New details have emerged of how a young father survived a mass shooting after watching his brother, mother and stepfather allegedly gunned down on a remote Queensland property on Friday, as his recovery in hospital continues.

The survivor of a mass shooting at a remote Queensland cattle property was forced to hide in the bushes with a gunshot wound to his stomach as he tried to escape after watching his family allegedly executed following disputes over boundary lines.

Police allege Ross Tighe witnessed his brother Graham Tighe, 35, mother Maree Schwarz, 59 and stepfather Mervyn Schwarz, 71, shot at close range with a rifle when he fled the horror scene at Bogie, west of Bowen.

The young father was shot in the stomach as he allegedly ran for his life, hiding in bushes before running and hiding in bushes again as gunshots continued to ring out.

Despite his critical injuries Mr Tighe managed to drive 40km in a red farm ute to a neighbouring property to raise the alarm.

RACQ CQ Rescue flew to Collinsville with a doctor and critical care paramedic on board to help, but the flying trauma team was then diverted to a homestead on a property at Normanby Road to treat, deliver blood and transfer Mr Tighe.

He was flown to Mackay Base Hospital in a critical condition for life-saving surgery.

He underwent emergency surgery at Mackay Base Hospital where he continues to recover, and was described as “up and walking”.

Mrs Schwarz’s brother-in-law and an Isaac Regional councillor, Greg Austen, said the family had closed ranks and were supporting each other following the tragedy.

“Ross is up and walking about,” he said, adding there had been a lot of visitors at the hospital.

“They were getting a bit inundated.”

The shootings occurred at the front gate of Darryl Young’s Shannonvale Rd property – the 59 year old, a long-time Bowen local, was arrested and charged over the execution-style triple murder and attempted murder.

Maree and Mervyn Schwarz died from gunshots wounds, along with Maree's son Graham Tighe in a mass shooting in Bogie on Friday.

Police alleged the family were gunned down after Mr Young invited them to his farm to discuss a dispute over property boundary lines.

The Schwarz family had only purchased their property on Sutherland Rd in mid 2021.

Mackay Detective Inspector Tom Armitt on Friday said specialist officers were doing property clearances at Mr Young’s home when he was arrested.

“We made contact with people on the property and we arranged for them to give themselves into custody,” Inspector Armitt said.

Darryl Young is charged with three counts of murder and attempted murder.

When asked if it was civilised Insp Armitt said “no”.

“It took a period of time for us to make contact with him,” Insp Armitt said.

Five people were initially taken into police custody, with four later released. Young will be the only person charged over the slayings.

He will appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.

Graham Tighe’s partner and two young children flew to Mackay on Saturday to be by the side of Ross Tighe as he recovers in hospital.

Picture of Graham Tighe and pregnant partner

Angel Flight Australia late on Friday night agreed to a special flight to take Graham’s partner and his two young children to Mackay. It came after a request from Kennedy MP Bob Katter.

The flight is expected to depart from Archerfield Airport today.

Angel Flight CEO Marjorie Pagani said she was only following her organisation’s motto.

“If we see a need, we jump in and help if we can,” she said.

“When there is an emergency like this, Angel Flight can organise a flight within hours.”

Mrs Schwarz’s brother-in-law and an Isaac Regional councillor, Greg Austen, said everybody was “doing all right”, but said the family needed some space to process the tragedy.

“The family just needs some privacy at this point in time,” he said.