Woman rescued after being ‘dragged underwater’ at Josephine Falls in Babinda

A 36-year-old has been rescued following a search operation at a popular Far North waterfall, after reports of the woman being dragged underwater.

A 36-year-old woman has been rescued following a search operation at Josephine Falls in Babinda, after reports of the woman being dragged underwater.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said initial information suggested at 4.15pm on Tuesday, the interstate tourist was swimming at the falls when she was dragged underwater.

Aerial view of Josephine Falls. Located in Wooroonooran National Park and fed by water running down Queensland's highest mountain, Mt Bartle Frere, Josephine Falls is a the tiered, cascading waterfall on the Josephine Creek in World Heritage listed wet tropics rainforest. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Police and other emergency service crews, including Rescue 510 and State Emergency Service volunteers and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services swiftwater rescue technicians, commenced an air and water search, and successfully located the missing person midstream,” the spokesman said.

“He was transported to Innisfail Hospital for treatment.

Josephine Falls has warning signs advising access to the top pool is prohibited. Picture: Supplied.

“Police wish to remind everyone to be mindful of conditions when swimming at Josephine Falls as dangerous flash flooding can happen without warning at any time of year, even if it is sunny on the day.”

Multiple rescues per year occur at Josephine falls, including a trio in January that were rescued at the falls after being stuck on a rocky ledge.

In November last year, a woman in her 20s suffered a five metre fall on a walking track near the falls.

In 2019, a coronial inquest into the deaths of Thomas Hunt in 2016 and Youngeun Kim in 2018 had opened after the two both died at Josephine Falls.

Originally published as Woman rescued after being ‘dragged underwater’ at Josephine Falls in Babinda