Boy allegedly assaulted by man during morning fish near River St boat ramp, Mackay

Detectives have arrested a man over the alleged assault of a 12-year-old boy while he was fishing off a Mackay boat ramp. DETAILS

A child is believed to have been assaulted by a man in the water near the boat ramp at River St in the Mackay CBD on September 24, 2024. Picture: Fergus Gregg

Detectives have arrested a man over the alleged assault of a 12-year-old boy while he was fishing off a Mackay boat ramp.

Police allege about 8.30am a man and the boy, who were not known to each other, were involved in a physical altercation at the River Street boat ramp, before the man fled the scene on a motorbike.

Initial reports indicated the man has allegedly thrown the child into the water and tried to hold him under.

The 12-year-old boy sustained minor injuries and was transported to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.

He was taken to the hospital’s emergency department, but was not admitted. He was released the same day.

Multiple police crews were called to the scene after the alleged incident with police calling for anyone or any business who witnessed or had any CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

Police have confirmed Mackay Child Protection and Investigation Unit officers arrested a 54-year-old Mackay man on Wednesday.

He has been charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and wilful damage.

He will appear in Mackay Magistrates Court on October 14.