Search for missing Mossman Gorge swimmer ends as rescue operation enters recovery phase
Police have spoken to the family of a woman who went missing in Mossman Gorge five days after she was seen submerged in dangerous waters.
Cairns
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The search for the missing swimmer at Mossman Gorge has ended five days after a woman was swept away in dangerous waters.
Emergency services have used multiple land and aerial assets to locate a 54-year-old woman who was last seen submerged about 2pm on Friday, January 6.
Cairns police have spoken with the woman’s family and offered their support.
The family have requested privacy as they grieve the loss of their loved one.
Police personnel, a Rescue 510 helicopter, and SES volunteers tracked dense and hazardous bushland with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services swift water rescue crews navigating dangerous waters in an attempt to locate the missing swimmer.
On Monday authorities said people had been ignoring warning signs and swimming at Mossman Gorge which is known as a popular waterhole which can turn dangerous in the wet season.
Officer in Charge of Smithfield Station Senior Sergeant Ed Lukin said Queensland Police Service (QPS) divers were no longer involved, but the search would continue.
He said the rescue effort had become a recovery mission.
“The police divers and swift water did an extremely thorough search,” he said.
“The divers and swift water searched two full days in very hazardous conditions and nothing was found unfortunately.”
Snr Sgt Lukin said people needed to take extra care swimming in the Far North.
On Friday he warned that those who chose to swim in the region during the wet season, did so “at their peril.”
Sen Sgt Lukin said resources had included the Rescue 510 helicopter and he praised the Queensland Park Service and SES volunteers.
“We had SES on foot by the river and operating drones,” he said.
“I want to thank them for their fantastic job, turning up day after day in hot and humid weather, without pay.”
Police also consulted with residents o the Mossman Gorge community, he said.
“We consulted with the traditional owners of the area and to date nothing has been found,” he said.
Snr Sgt Lukin said they will continue to search the area, weather permitting.
“There is 50mm of rain Co-ordinated on Monday night across the catchment and we have to consider the health and wellbeing of our personnel,” he said.
“We will not terminate the search but we may suspend it if we need to.”
State Emergency Services Far Northern Regional Director Wayne Coutts said three days before the 54-year-old went missing, a triple-0 call was received from a woman caught in a strong current at the same site.
Bystanders were able to help rescue her from the water.
Days later a 54-year-old woman, believed to be a tourist, was swept downstream in distress, police confirmed on Friday. She has not been found.
“We encourage everyone to pay attention to warning signs and to consider the time of year because in the wet season, waters can rise very quickly even if it’s not raining in your area,” Mr Coutts said.
On Monday, 13 SES volunteers were assisting police and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services to locate the missing tourist.
Back Country Bliss Adventures owner Jason Heffernan said his river guides had undertaken two rescues of people not in his groups at Mossman Gorge in the past two weeks.
“One of our guides last week had to rescue a man washed down the river,” he said.
“Our guide used the ropes we carry.
“We don’t run tours in that part of Mossman Gorge where the woman was swept away.
“Our river drift snorkelling tours are held where we there are no big boulders or deep sections.”
Mr Heffernan said his half-day tours were still operating as normal
“Mossman Gorge is challenging it looks calm at the beach,” he said.
“But just to the right the water gets sucked between the boulders like a vortex and catches unaware swimmers.”
Mr Heffernan said he has been advocating for Douglas Shire and Queensland National Parks to install a flood warning system similar to one at Josephine Falls to warn visitors.
According to witnesses of the January 3 Mossman Gorge rescue, the woman was pulled out of the water and saved by strangers.
Cath Russell posted on social media those who rescued the woman, “had time to work out a plan (from rock to rock) and watched the flow carefully to get her back”.
“At Mossman Gorge this afternoon (January 3) there were signs everywhere warning us not to swim, nevertheless many were,” she posted.
“A woman was swept down the river by the current.
“Half a dozen tourists who didn’t know her, swum out to different points along the river, on rocks, and helped her back across safely, to the applause of those of us who’d stuck to paddling.
“It takes a village, people are brave and inspiring.”
On January 2 Francis and Tom Brodhurst-Hill said they had seen several people swimming at Mossman Gorge in defiance of posted signs.
“They advise not to swim,” they said.
“But half the people do.”
The day before Mel Dunstan and Matthew Kleinig said they witnessed a rescue at Mossman Gorge.
On January 1, the pair posted, “Enjoyed a relaxing swim here before emergency services were called to get people stuck in rapids! Lucky we were sensible enough.”
The gorge is closed to the public but the cultural centre with its cafe and gallery is still open.
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Originally published as Search for missing Mossman Gorge swimmer ends as rescue operation enters recovery phase
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