Police investigate after body found under Fursden Creek bridge in Mackay

Police have identified a man found in a waterway beneath a busy Mackay connection road as they continue investigating his death.

A body has been found under the Fursden Creek bridge at Mackay.

Police recovered the body of a 45-year-old Cairns man in the creek, behind Mackay Base Hospital, about 1.30pm on Tuesday.

It is understood the man had been in Mackay for a number of weeks but his last known address was further north.

Traffic was banked up along Glenella Connection Road, with an officer directing traffic to just one open lane while firefighters and police removed him from the estuary which was about 4m wide because it was low tide.

Mackay Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said police were alerted to the incident after a cyclist riding over the bridge saw him about 12.30pm.

“Uniform police and detectives have commenced an investigation,” the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge said.

“The cause of death is undetermined.

“Police are keeping an open mind in relation to the matter.

“There was a red sedan located at that creek and police believe the vehicle was linked to the deceased person.”

Senior Sergeant Eaton said police were appealing for information from “any members of the public who may have seen that vehicle and a male person at that creek area over the past couple of days”.

“Police believe the male person may have been camping at that location or living out of his vehicle,” he said.

Police will await a post mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Police Link on 131444.