Suny Shane Platen to plead guilty over fatal fishing boat crash

A man charged over a fatal boating crash that claimed the life of a 28-year-old man at Port Alma is expected to front court early this year over his role in the tragedy.

Suny Shane 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 man charged over a fatal boating crash at Port Alma in April 2022 is expected to front court early this year over his role in the tragedy

Suny Shane Platen was charged two months after the incident, accused of being responsible for the tragic crash that claimed the life of Jed Henry John Farraway, 28.

Avid fisherman Jed Farraway.

Mr Platen was charged in December 2022 with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.

The charge was presented to Rockhampton District Court on January 29, where the court was advised Mr Platen intends on pleading guilty to the charge but the schedule of facts were not yet available.

It will be alleged that the boat the men were travelling in hit a buoy and a search for Mr Farraway was underway by 7.53am on the day of the crash.

Crews search for missing fisherman Jed Farraway at Port Alma. Photo – Steve Vit

The search ended about 5pm that day after a friend of Mr Farraway’s found his 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; another man in his mid-20s was treated for leg and back injuries and a third man in his 30s was treated for chest, leg and facial injuries following the accident.

Mr Platen’s matter has been adjourned to February 23 for mention.