Police: Woman charged with arson, assault over Fitzroy River Rockhampton incident

A Central Queensland woman has been charged with multiple offences after a dramatic incident unfolded on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton on Friday morning that resulted in a man being taken to hospital.

Police officers on the Fitzroy River. Photo Melanie Plane/The Morning Bulletin

A Central Queensland woman has been charged with multiple offences after a dramatic incident unfolded on the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton on Friday morning that resulted in a man being taken to hospital.

Queensland Police were called to the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton City after a woman allegedly assaulted a man known to her about 5.30am, before allegedly pouring petrol on a boat and attempting to set it alight.

A police spokesperson said emergency services, including SES vessels that assisted police negotiators and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, responded to the incident.

“It is alleged the woman lit a cloth on fire and attempted to throw it onto the boat, before diving into the water,” QPS said in a statement.

“The cloth was extinguished immediately and the woman was taken into custody.”

A 69-year-old Depot Hill man suffered minor injuries and was transported in a stable condition to Rockhampton Hospital.

A 32-year-old Berserker woman has been charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and one count each of attempted arson (domestic violence), strangulation (domestic violence) and contravention of a police protection notice.

Her bail has been refused and she is expected to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on October 24.