Tributes for Cairns boatie Steve Argoon found at Kinchant Dam

The Cairns community is rallying around the family of a loving husband, father and well-respected cricket coach who died in a freak boating accident near Mackay.

The Cairns community is mourning the loss of a loving husband, father and well-respected cricket coach after a freak boating accident at Kinchant Dam.

Police on Thursday recovered the body of 63-year-old Steve Argoon from the dam about 35km west of Mackay after he fell overboard on Tuesday.

Mr Argoon, a carpenter by trade, had been holidaying in the Mackay region with his wife.

Eldest son, Travis, said the family was “simply devastated”.

Janet and Steve Argoon. Mr Argoon was the coach of the Cricket Far North Under-21 squad, which is set to compete at the Queensland Cricket Club’s zone championships in Mackay this weekend.

“This news is nothing you ever expect or want to hear,” he said.

“Mum is doing it tough as you can expect, but we will stick by each other and we’ll work our way through this.

“He was a big family man, we were always a big part of his life, as he was a big part of ours.”

Steve Argoon tragically drowned in Kinchant Dam after falling overboard on Tuesday, November 2.

A police spokesman said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the father’s death with a report to be prepared for the coroner.

When Mr Argoon fell overboard at the popular dam shortly before 11.15am on Tuesday morning, his wife had watched on from the banks about 200m away.

Witnesses on the shore had reported seeing his boat circling with Mr Argoon seen to go under the water.

It is understood his wife helped to raise the alarm triggering the initial search.

She was comforted on the banks as member of the public took to the water in efforts to help find the man.

An RACQ CQ Rescue team joined the search. Picture: Matthew Forrest

He did not resurface.

Police, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services including SES crews, paramedics, and an RACQ Rescue team were all called to the scene.

On Tuesday afternoon, specialised police divers flew to Mackay from Brisbane and entered the dam where they faced obstacles including heavy cloud clover, thick weeds and dark water in the search for Mr Argoon.

Police Inspector Ian Haughton said thick weeds and cloud cover had made the search difficult. Picture: Matthew Forrest, Heidi Petith

On Wednesday police Inspector Ian Haughton said they were driving through water depths of up to 10m to find him with air assets unable to see through the water with passing showers.

That search ended Thursday morning.

Kinchant Dam near Mackay.

“Kinchant Dam is currently closed to members of the public … for the foreseeable future,” Inspector Haughton said.

“It’s a challenging time for family and friends.”

Mr Argoon served for many years as coach of the Cricket Far North Under-21 squad which is set to compete at the Queensland Cricket Club’s zone championships in Mackay this weekend.

Mulgrave Cricket Club’s Gavern Lovett said Mr Argoon was a life member of the club and Cricket Far North and had achieved so much for the south Cairns cricket community.

“He has had a lot of involvement with coaching and he and his wife Janet were the prime instigators of the Mulgrave ladies team and now we have a dedicated ladies competition,” Mr Lovett said.

Mulgrave Cricket Club members Eric Anderson and Steve Argoon. Picture: Justin Brierty

“Mr Argoon first got involved in the club when his own lads took an interest in the game and began coaching junior squads.

“And he was a cricketer himself but I didn’t know him when he was in his prime,” Mr Lovett said.

“Steve was a relaxed guy that liked to have fun and he was a keen fisherman and (sons) Travis and Cody were a major focus of his life.

“It’s very sad, him and Janet have gone away to enjoy themselves and a very sad way to end their break.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Multiple emergency services crews including the RACQ CQ Rescue team and the State Emergency Service (SES) searched for Steve Argoon who fell overboard into Kinchant Dam on Tuesday, November 2. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Senior Sergeant Trevor Robson on Tuesday said it was unclear how the man fell from the boat.

“Members of the community (had) reacted really quickly, there were three vessels out on the water almost immediately after he had gone in” Sergeant Robson said.