Man’s body found in Fitzroy River after three nights of search mission

The body of a man last seen jumping into the Fitzroy River during a police chase has been discovered by people walking late at night and a fisherman. LATEST.

The body of the man who was last seen jumping into Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River in an effort to escape police has been discovered after a three-night long mission.

The 36-year-old Kawana man, a suburb in Rockhampton’s north, was found late on Saturday night.

Martin John Wheeler has been identified as the man.

Police confirmed the body was found around 11pm by a member of the public.

Rockhampton business owner Tan Rick was among a group to discover it.

She and her niece were walking along the riverbank when they came across a body floating in the area.

She said it was in the area where the police had been searching.

“Still can’t believe it,” she said.

“Very very... condolences to the family.”

It is also believed a fisherman spotted the body as well.

The man had fled from police just before 6pm on Thursday night (October 19).

Police were doing patrols in East Street, the main street of the city, when they spotted the man who was wanted on a warrant.

As police approached him, the man ran on foot and a short pursuit began between police and the man along East St and Victoria Pde.

SES personnel using sonars to detect under the water.

He then reportedly jumped off an embankment from Victoria Pde into the river.

Officers saw him go under and did not see him reappear, according to Rockhampton police’s Chief Inspector Mark Burgess.

It was reported the two police officers saw the man go under the water in distress treading water and he yelled for help.

“Unfortunately officers have not been able to see (the man) resurface and grave fears are then held for his safety,” Insp Burgess said on Friday.

Marine exclusion zone for search mission on Fitzroy River, Rockhampton.

A massive search and rescue mission was deployed that night with police and SES personnel and the RACQ Capricorn Rescue helicopter was called in for air assistance.

The helicopter did a number of runs that night with their night goggles but to no avail.

The search went until 10.30pm and was called off until first light.

Emergency services crews, including more people from the coastguard and police divers from Brisbane, searched the river throughout Friday and Saturday.

A marine exclusion zone was put in place from the Fitzroy Bridge to the freshwater barrage for Saturday so they could search the area without any interference.

Rockhampton Coastguard patrolling the Fitzroy River on Friday afternoon.

Wildlife rangers also assisted and gave advice on the wildlife in the river and it was reported there had been signs of crocodile disturbance.

There are also a number of bull sharks in the river.

Speaking to media on Friday, Insp Burgess said a crocodile was “disturbed” near pylons under the new bridge,

“Obviously the Fitzroy River’s had a history of crocodile sightings – there was one disturbed last night in the search area as well, which was around the vicinity of the pylons underneath the new bridge,” he said.

“There are a number of bull sharks in the area, which is known through local knowledge, so there certainly are a number of hazards.”

Insp Burgess said the search would not be discontinued “until it’s absolutely clear that it’s futile.”

Lachlan Bryan was fishing on the Fitzroy River on Thursday afternoon when he witnessed the drama unfold.

“The man came running past on foot with the police on foot chasing him – he came to the end of the pathway on Southside under the bridge and jumped into the water and made it about 30 metres from the bank before everyone lost sight of him,” Mr Bryan said.

“My friend assisted the police with his boat by picking them up from the bank and using his personal boat until 8:30pm when SES got there to take over.”

Chief Inspector Mark Burgess.

An incident control centre was set up on the banks of the river across from the Gallery apartments.

#RACQ#CapRescue Rescue 300 is assisting with a search in the #FitzroyRiver for a missing person. pic.twitter.com/2V74RARnwM

— RACQ CapRescue (@caprescue) October 19, 2023

The low tides were ample opportunity for more searching as SES personnel searched on foot around the exposed rocks which are covered in water during higher tides.

Low tide for the Fitzroy River at Rockhampton on Friday morning was 8.09am

A control centre set up on the banks of the Fitzroy River on the morning of October 19.

SES personnel and police set up.

Boats looking for the man under the New Bridge in the Fitzroy River.

.

Earlier in the week, Insp Burgess said authorities “were not discounting” the possibility the missing man may have made it to land and police were in regular contact with his family.

“Obviously they’re very concerned – so they’re at home waiting by the phone for further updates.”

Boats looking for the man under the New Bridge in the Fitzroy River.

Boats in the Fitzroy River looking for the man.

The man is described caucasian in appearance, approximately 187cm tall, with a thin build, brown hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing a grey shirt and dark grey shorts.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Police will now investigate the sudden death.