Babinda Boulders: Town lost for answers after grim find in search for missing woman
As a white undertaker’s van passes through a police roadblock on the outskirts of Babinda, distressed residents of the tiny township express their angst at the loss of yet another young life in a “cursed” swimming hole.
Cairns
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THE sounds of sirens and sights of fire and rescue trucks rushing inland through Babinda’s main street leaves a “sinking feeling” among the small community, every time.
Locals know all too well when crews rush west, something has gone horribly wrong at popular swimming hole – Babinda Boulders.
On Tuesday, the body of a 19-year-old Edmonton woman was located in the water about 8am, after it was reported she fell in about 2.45pm Monday.
The raw news has again humbled long-term Babinda locals who say hearing of lives lost at the Boulders is always “upsetting”, but they feel they’re out of answers in terms of preventing the tragedies.
“It’s gut wrenching, but also very frustrating because it doesn’t have to happen,” Babinda Chamber of Commerce president and owner of Roddo’s News Babinda Rodney Edwards said.
“It is upsetting because another life has been lost and it doesn’t have to happen.
“There’s barriers, there’s fences, there’s signs, what else can do.”
Babinda resident of 35 years and Babinda State Hotel owner Kitty Anning echoed Mr Edward’s sympathy and frustration.
“They’re awful tragedies and the worst part about it is they could all be avoided because there’s signs everywhere, there’s fencing.
“There’s a moss that grows on the rocks, and it looks harmless enough, but if you have wet feet and you step on to it, it’s like black ice.
“It doesn’t matter how safe you think you are, or how good a swimmer you think you are, or how often you’ve been there – you just shouldn’t go where signs say you shouldn’t go.”
Ms Anning said she believed there was adequate fencing and warning signs and “didn’t know what we can do.”
“Unless we can put a guard there. Like surf life savers at the beach.
Ms Anning said she, and the town always felt sick every time a life was lost at the swimming hole.
“It’s sickening, it’s awful. You worry about that family and it’s so close to Christmas, which shouldn’t make a difference, it’s a terrible thing to happen anytime of the year.”
The Devil’s Pool area of the boulders is shrouded in mystery, with legends depicting it as a cursed waterway.
It has claimed at least 18 lives in 60 years.
EARLIER
A WOMAN’S body has been found during a search at Babinda Boulders, south of Cairns, on Tuesday morning.
About 2.45pm on Monday, police received reports that a woman had fallen into the water at the popular Babinda Boulders swimming hole and did not resurface.
Police, including a specialist dive squad, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services swift water crews and State Emergency Service personnel began a search and rescue operation of the area shortly after.
At about 8am this morning, the body of the 19-year-old Edmonton woman was located in the water.
Police are liaising with the woman’s family.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
MONDAY
POLICE have called in specialist divers from Brisbane to assist with the ongoing search for a woman reported missing at Babinda earlier on Monday afternoon.
Police said at 2.45pm, they were advised the woman was in the Babinda Boulders area with friends when it is believed she slipped and fell into the water.
Statements taken by police advise the woman then failed to surface.
An immediate search of area commenced but the woman was not located.
Police divers from Brisbane are en route to assist with the search currently underway involving police, SES and Swift Water Rescue, which will continue throughout the night.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the Babinda Boulders area while the search is ongoing.
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Originally published as Babinda Boulders: Town lost for answers after grim find in search for missing woman
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