Human remains found inside shot croc after suspected yachtie attack
LATEST: Wildlife officers have captured and euthanised a second crocodile after a well-known Cairns man disappeared while fishing off Hinchinbrook Island.
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LATEST: Wildlife officers have euthanised a second crocodile in the wake of the disappearance of well-known Cairns yachtie Andy Heard.
Human remains were found inside a 4.2m crocodile which was shot by rangers on Saturday after Mr Heard vanished while fishing on Thursday.
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The second crocodile, about 2.7-3m in size, was captured overnight Sunday.
The Department of Environment and Science confirmed the animal was now with the Queensland Police Service and a necropsy would be conducted.
SUNDAY: Human remains have been found inside a crocodile shot after a well-known Cairns man disappeared while fishing off Hinchinbrook Island.
Authorities performed a necropsy on the 4.2m saltwater croc which was targetted by rangers on Saturday after believed to have been responsible for an attack on Cairns yachtie Andy Heard on Thursday.
Police have confirmed human remains were located inside the animal.
“The 4.2-metre crocodile, which is believed to be the one involved in the death of a 69-year-old man, was examined by a specialist in Cairns overnight with human remains being located inside,” a police spokesman said.
“Police investigations continue with officers preparing a report for the Coroner.”
EARLER: Department of Environment and Science rangers have shot a saltwater croc in the Hinchinbrook Island area after a well-known Cairns sailor went missing from a small boat on Thursday.
A DES spokeswoman said the croc had been targeted by rangers in a belief the animal could be responsible for an attack on Cairns yachtie Andy Heard.
“We have shot a croc but we are not sure if it’s ‘the’ croc,” she said.
“The animal has been transported to the mainland where a necropsy will be conducted.”
It’s not know how big the croc was.
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DES wildlife officers previously stated it was “highly likely” that the missing sailor could have been taken by a saltwater crocodile after bite marks were found on his upturned tender.
Earlier police discovered human remains of the Cairns sailor not far from where his 2m boat was discovered.
Friends of the well-respected and highly regarded former Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron commodore kept a waterside vigil at the Trinity Inlet club this morning.
BREAKING: We have euthanised a four-metre crocodile that wildlife officers located near where the damaged vessel of a man missing near Hinchinbrook Island was found. The animal has been transported to the mainland where a necropsy will be conducted. @QldPolice pic.twitter.com/iizEDIgn8H
— Queensland Environment (@QldEnvironment) February 13, 2021
Current squadron commodore John Stewart said club members had been shaken by the loss of Mr Heard.
“It’s a real shock, the whole club just feels so numb,” he said.
Mr Stewart responded to criticism of Mr Heard for allegedly not adhering to good small boat safety practices.
“I have heard stories about he should have had an EPIRB and life jackets but it doesn’t matter if he had 10 EPIRBs or 50 life jackets it wouldn’t have saved him in the situation he was in,” he said.
“He was more than just competent, we was a very, very good sailor.”
UPDATE: The search for missing Cairns yachtie Andy Heard in the Hinchinbrook Island area has turned up what is believed to be human remains.
At 10.30am Queensland Police in collaboration with Department of Environments and science wildlife officers made the announcement following an extensive sea search.
About 5am on Friday police contacted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for advice and assistance after a damaged 2.5m dingy was located upside down near the mouth of the Gayundah Creek on the southwestern side of Hinchinbrook Island.
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On Friday wildlife officers said it was “highly likely” that the missing sailor could have been taken by a saltwater crocodile after marks were found on his upturned tender.
A police spokesman said in plain terms some human remains had been found but the search would continue today to locate further remains of the missing man.
”The police officers are working up there with the family,” he said.
Searchers have located what are believed to be human remains as police with assistance of @QldEnvironment and other personnel continue to look for the missing man. 🔗https://t.co/5JXTkVKQBp pic.twitter.com/NOwsRVH05y
— Queensland Police (@QldPolice) February 13, 2021
Sailing the area with partner Erica Lang on board their vessel Shiraz, the alarm was raised when Mr Heard took the boat’s tender fishing on Thursday but never returned
Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron’s Dayna Russell said flags at the club were flying at half-mast this morning.
“In a way we are kind of relieved they did find his body, but we are devastated for (Mr Heard’s partner) Erica and her losing her best mate,” she said.
“He was always the first bloke to lend a hand and one of the guys said today he was like a father figure to lots of people in our club, he was the old saltie dog.
“We have put the flags at half-mast and put some flowers out in cheers to Andy and what meant to us.”
A joint Queensland Police Service and Department of Environment and Science spokesman said it was thought the found remains belonged to the missing 69-year-old yachtie.
“Police believe the remains are those of the missing man, however forensic testing will be required to confirm this,” he said.
Police with the assistance of State Emergency Service volunteers, Coast Guard personnel, officers from DES and local fishermen continue to search the area.
DES wildlife officers are continuing their search for a crocodile.
One team is already at the site and a second crew will be there shortly.
EARLIER: A life member of the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron missing off Hinchinbrook Island has been identified as passionate Cairns-based yachtie Andy Heard.
Sailing the area with partner Erica Lang on board their vessel Shiraz, the alarm was raised when Mr Heard took the boat’s tender fishing on Thursday. but never returned.
About 5am on Friday police contacted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for advice and assistance after a damaged 2.5m dingy was located upside down near the mouth of the Gayundah Creek on the southwestern side of Hinchinbrook Island.
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Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron’s Dayna Russell overcome with grief said the situation facing the much loved club member was dire.
“The club is truly gutted. Everyone will be here for Erica when she gets back,” she said.
“He loved his fishing and he had been battling cancer. He was an amazing person.”
Concerns have been raised by wildlife officers that Mr Heard could have been taken by a saltwater crocodile after marks were found on his upturned tender.
“He went out fishing at 3pm. All through the night I stayed up then I heard they found the tender but no Andy,” Ms Russell said.
“He is very capable, so (whatever) happened, it must have been pretty big croc.”
Ms Russell said Mr Heard’s son had travelled to assist in the search which is yet to find any trace of the missing yachtie.
Cairns police Acting Inspector Andrew Cowie on Friday morning said authorities were considering “all issues” when asked if a crocodile could have been involved.
“There are a number of environmental dangers in that area,” he said. “Our priority at the moment is to locate him.
“We have a number of resources focusing on mangroves in the area.”
Wildlife officer Ren Bone said that based on the damage, “we do believe there is some involvement of a crocodile”.
“What involvement that is, we’re not entirely sure at this stage,” he said.
Acting Inspector Cowie urged anyone with any information to contact authorities.
The Hinchinbrook waters are notorious for its population of saltwater crocodiles, as well as sharks. Local fishermen, SES, Coast Guard and DES are assisting police with the search.
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