Leann Mitchell outraged a memorial bench for crocodile victim Cindy Waldron removed

A woman who witnessed her best friend being snatched by a crocodile at a Far North Queensland beach says she is disgusted the bench honouring her memory has been removed.

Former Cairns resident Leann Mitchell said when she learned the memorial bench was removed she felt sick. Picture: Alison Patterson

The best friend of the woman killed by a crocodile at a Far North Queensland beach says she is disgusted the bench honouring her memory has been removed.

It’s been seven years since former Cairns resident Leann Mitchell helplessly watched her best friend Cindy Waldron dragged away and killed by a giant crocodile at Thornton Beach in the Daintree.

A bench in remembrance of Ms Waldron was placed near the Cape Tribulation beach in 2018 and it is not clear who is responsible for its removal.

Douglas Shire Council has confirmed it intends to replace it.

Ms Mitchell, who suffers from PTSD because of the shocking attack, says she felt “kicked” by the “incredibly disrespectful and callous act”.

“I found out a few months ago when a friend indicated the seat had gone”, she said.

“People Cindy knew who wanted to go and sit on the seat and think of Cindy said when they arrived the bench had gone and there was a lot of confusion around it.”

Photo from the Facebook page of Leeann Mitchell (right) with her friend Cindy Waldron (left) who was taken by a crocodile at Thornton Beach in the Daintree.

When Ms Mitchell heard the seat had been removed, she immediately contacted council who she said had been instrumental with the original bench’s construction.

“The council representative I spoke to has been was absolutely marvellous, incredibly understanding and appropriately empathetic,” she said.

“He indicated his absolute disgust that they would do such a thing.”

A council spokesman said they had been in touch with Ms Mitchell and Ms Waldron’s family.

“Douglas Shire Council did not grant permission for the memorial bench to be removed, nor was council made aware of the memorial removal before it occurred,” he said.

“Council conducted an investigation and ordered a new memorial bench which will be installed in due course.”

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said Ms Waldron’s memory should be respected.

“These memorial benches can play an important part in allowing family and friends to remember those lost loved ones,” he said.

“Council has been in regular contact with family and friends of Cindy Waldron to ensure they are comfortable with the replacement memorial bench being installed.”

Former Cairns resident Leann Mitchell said when she learned the memorial bench was removed she felt sick. Picture: Alison Paterson

Ms Mitchell said she looked forward to returning to honour her friend when the bench was replaced.

“I would not want to be there in the absence of Cindy’s seat,” she said.

“I’ll sit and think of Cindy, she was a beautiful soul, her life was meaningful to so many people, she had a huge amount of love for those lucky enough to have been in her life.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance, calls Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au

Originally published as Leann Mitchell outraged a memorial bench for crocodile victim Cindy Waldron removed