Fisherman Suny Platen in court over death of Jed Farraway in boating accident
A Central Queensland man allegedly responsible for a tragic boating crash in waters near Rockhampton in April that claimed the life of Jed Henry John Farraway and left two others injured, has been charged with further offences.
Police & Courts
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A Calliope man allegedly responsible for a tragic boating crash in waters near Rockhampton in April that claimed the life of Jed Henry John Farraway, 28, and left two others injured, has been charged with further offences.
Suny Shane Platen, 31, was charged on June 28 with three counts of general obligation on persons involved with the operation of a ship to operate it safely causing death or grievous bodily harm and one count of having operated a ship as master while not appropriately licensed.
Mr Platen, who is a pro fisherman, has now also been charged with three counts of dangerously operating or interfering with the operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm and one count of having operated a ship as master while not appropriately licensed.
The fresh charges were mentioned for the first time in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on December 7
Solicitor Cassandra Ditchfield said she had been advised that the prosecution had intended to charge her client with the additional charges and that she did not require briefs of evidence.
“The notification I have received from the prosecution is that they intend to rely on the same brief of evidence for those fresh dangerous operation charges,” Ms Ditchfield said.
“Because I have only just received that information I just need a bit of time to conference with my client.
“The dangerous operation charges are certainly charges which need to be dealt with on indictment.
“I will be advising my client that a registry committal will be appropriate.”
Mr Platen was allegedly not appropriately licensed when he unsafely operated a vessel on April 3, 2022 at Port Alma, causing the death of Jed Henry John Farraway and grievous bodily harm to Morgan Josef Sims and Boyden Ian Douglas Mason.
A search for Mr Farraway was underway at 7.53am on April 3 after the boat reportedly crashed into a buoy.
About 5pm that day, the search ended with a friend finding Mr Farraway’s body in the water at Port Alma.
A man in his 20s was flown to Rockhampton Hospital in a serious condition with chest, abdominal and leg injuries following the incident.
Another man in his mid-20s was treated for leg and back injuries, while a man in his 30s was treated for chest, leg and facial injuries.
Magistrate Cameron Press adjourned Mr Platen’s matters to February 8, 2023.
Mr Platen’s bail was enlarged to that date.
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