Man killed in jet ski crash on Barron River near Cairns
A man has died and a woman has suffered shoulder and back injuries after their jet ski crashed on the Barron River north of Cairns.
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A man has died and a woman has suffered shoulder and back injuries after their jet ski collided with mangroves on the Barron River.
A 56-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman from Brinsmead were on Friday travelling roughly 500m from the Stratford boat ramp when their jet ski struck mangroves at 10.30am, according to police.
Far North District duty officer Duane Amos said police were called to assist Queensland Ambulance Service after people using the boat ramp alerted authorities to the crash.
“There were two patients on the scene that had an incident with a personal watercraft that ended up being a jet ski.”
“Resuscitation was underway at the time but the male was declared deceased at the scene.
“The other patient has been transferred to Cairns Hospital with non life threatening injuries.”
Police believe the pair were ejected from the watercraft after crashing into mangroves, but officers were unable to provide further information about what happened leading up to the crash.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Senior Sergeant Amos said the couple were wearing personal flotation devices but implored the public to be extra vigilant on the waterways during the wet season.
“That weather changed very quickly and we aren’t suggesting the weather had anything to do with it but this is the time of the year we don’t have clear visibility in the waterways,” Duty officer Amos said.
“Like anything else, you need to take precautions to mitigate risks as best you can.”
Police left the scene at around 1pm after re-opening the boat ramp to the public.
Originally published as Man killed in jet ski crash on Barron River near Cairns
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