Man charged with murder after morning fight at taxi rank

An early morning fight at a Queensland taxi rank has left one man dead and another facing a murder charge.

A man is facing a murder charge following an early morning altercation at a taxi rank that left another man dead in north Queensland.

Police say the accused was “intent” on harming the victim after he spotted him at a cab rank on Edith Street, Innisfail around 2.20am on Saturday.

Detective Inspector Kevin Goansaid the pair may have crossed paths earlier at the Crown Hotel on Edith Street although their investigations are ongoing.

It's believed the offender and the deceased may have earlier crossed paths at the Crown Hotel at Innisfail. Picture: Google

He said it was not a one-punch attack as the victim received several blows and did little to defend himself.

“It‘s certainly different to a one punch attack,” Inspector Goan told reporters.

“Our investigations show the offender appeared intent on having some sort of altercation with the victim and has made an approach to the deceased who has done very little to either defend himself or retaliate.

“There were was an exchange of some sort between the two gentlemen, verbally, and then the altercation occurred, where a volley of punches were thrown.

“The deceased has sort of stood up from that first onset, and then succumbed to further blows from the person who has now been charged with his murder.”

He said police performed CPR. The 28-year-old man died at the scene.

The death occurred at a taxi rank on Edith St, Innisfail early Saturday morning. Picture: Google maps.

Police have charged a 30-year-old Innisfail man with murder.

He appeared in Innisfail Magistrates Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody, police said.

He is due to reappear at court on January 11.

Investigations are continuing.