Dramatic scenes as 5 arrested outside Airlie’s Magnums

Four people attempted to stop an arrest outside Magnums with one man arming himself with a car nudge bar.

Magnums at Airlie Beach deserted as Cyclone Debbie approaches the coast.

A MAN ripped a nudge bar from a car and threatened police with it in dramatic scenes outside an Airlie Beach pub at the weekend.

The man was among a group of five police will allege were denied entry to Magnums pub on Main St about 1.15am Saturday.

Officers were called to the venue and tried to speak to the three men and two women who "refused to speak to police," Whitsunday Sergeant Gary Hiles said.

The group was given a move on direction to leave the Safe Night Precinct when police allege a 35 year old man refused.

Sgt Hiles said as the man was being arrested, other members of the group from Mackay "began to hinder and obstruct police from making the arrest".

One man allegedly assaulted a police officer who was making the arrest before ripping a nudge bar off a vehicle and threatened police with it.

He eventually dropped the nudge bar before running away.

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The man later handed himself into police and was charged with contravening a direction, assault police, wilful damage and going armed to cause fear.

During the attempted arrest, police allege a 33-year-old woman from Mackay assaulted another police officer.

She was charged with obstructing police and serious assault.

Sgt Hiles said another Mackay man, 26, was charged with obstructing police after allegedly standing between officers and a 35-year-old man.

Sgt Hiles said another 26-year-old male from Western Australia "adopted a fighting stance towards police" during the arrest.

"When placed under arrest (he) has run from the scene but has later handed himself in where he was released with infringement notices for public nuisance and obstruct police," Sgt Hiles said.

Other people arrested outside the venue were released on bail and are due to appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court at a later date.

Police are urging members of the public to drink responsibly and reiterate that the COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat to the community as seen in Victoria.

Police urge all persons heading for a night out to follow the Queensland health directives of maintaining social distancing and good hygiene practices.

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