‘Our own people are watching;’ Josephine Falls inquest hears warning from elder

The inquest into the deaths of two tourist swimmers at Josephine Falls has opened with an ominous warning from a traditional owner.

• Inquest to show ignorance of risk at Josephine Falls
• Tragedy as tourist swept away

THE inquest into the deaths of two tourist swimmers at Josephine Falls has opened with an ominous warning by a traditional owner.

Ngadjon elder Ernie Raymont gave evidence at day one of the coronial inquest into the deaths of Thomas Hunt in 2016 and Youngeun Kim in 2018. The tourists died at Josephine Falls, near Mt Bartle Frere, known as Choorechillum.

“It is a very sacred place,” Mr Raymont said.

“Our spirits go to Mt Bartle Frere; Josephine Falls is in our tribal boundaries.”

He told the inquest a curfew for swimmers at Josephine Creek could be imposed in the interests of their safety.

Josephine Falls, a large natural waterfall in National Park near Innisfail, in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in Far North Queensland. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“The rainforest gets very dark at 4pm,” Mr Raymont said.

“Our own people are watching – I’m sure the old people are angry about what is going on at Josephine Falls; there has to be a limit.”

The inquest also heard from the girlfriend of Mr Hunt, Emily Blair.

Speaking via Skype, Ms Blair, 22, said she and Mr Hunt met and had a “whirlwind romance” in late 2015.

Their visit to Josephine Falls in February 2016 was to be a highlight of their short romance. The couple swam at Josephine Creek on February 23.

The inquest was shown screen shots of the creek taken from Ms Blair’s Go Pro camera on that day.

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Signs at the entrance to Josephine Falls in 2018 warn tourists of the dangers of rising floodwaters. Pic: ELISABETH CHAMPION

“It looks more dangerous than how we felt on the day,” Ms Blair said.

“In hindsight, I think we could have been more cautious, aware and educated about the area.”

After spending about an hour in the water and a rock slide in the creek from 4pm, the couple decided to take one more dip but lost contact in the then turbulent water.

“The water was coming from different directions, I wasn’t moving anywhere,” Ms Blair said. “I was bobbing up and down, being pushed under and resurfacing.”

She told the inquest she saw Mr Hunt grab hold of a rock before he was swept away.

“I was screaming his name, for help,” Ms Blair said.

“I was in shock.”

Mr Hunt’s body was retrieved from the creek the next morning by police.

Emergency services crews at Josephine Falls. PIC: Elisabeth Champion

TIMELINE

Thomas Hunt, February 23, 2016

4pm

Thomas Hunt and Emily Blair arrive at Josephine Creek

The couple swim at the creek’s bottom pool and rock slide

5pm-5.30pm

The couple are swept into an undertow and separated. Mr Hunt is carried away, Ms Blair pulls herself to the bank

5.45pm

Ms Blair borrows a mobile phone and is connected to 000 after several attempts

5.49pm

Paramedics dispatched

6.10pm

Paramedics arrive

Originally published as ‘Our own people are watching;’ Josephine Falls inquest hears warning from elder