Grisly find during search for yachtie in croc-infested waters
Authorities have confirmed human remains have been found during a search of crocodile-infested waters for a well-known Cairns yachtie.
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Authorities have located human remains near Hinchinbrook Island, believed to belong to missing yachtie Andy Heard.
Wildlife officers located what is believed to be the remains of Mr Heard, 69, in the search area on Friday night, however forensic testing is required to confirm this.
Department of Environment and Science (DES) wildlife officers are today continuing their search for a crocodile believed to be responsible for the man’s death.
A life member of the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron missing off Hinchinbrook Island has been identified as passionate Cairns-based yachtie Andy Heard.
Cairns-based Mr Heard, a life member of the Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron, had been sailing the area with partner Erica Lang on board their vessel Shiraz.
The alarm was raised when Mr Heard took the boat’s tender fishing on Thursday but never returned.
About 5am on Friday police contacted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for advice and assistance after a damaged 2.5m dingy was located upside down near the mouth of the Gayundah Creek on the southwestern side of Hinchinbrook Island.
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Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron’s Dayna Russell overcome with grief said the situation facing the much loved club member was dire.
“The club is truly gutted. Everyone will be here for Erica when she gets back,” she said.
“He loved his fishing and he had been battling cancer. He was an amazing person.”
Concerns have been raised by wildlife officers that Mr Heard could have been taken by a saltwater crocodile after marks were found on his upturned tender.
“He went out fishing at 3pm. All through the night I stayed up then I heard they found the tender but no Andy,” Ms Russell said.
“He is very capable, so (whatever) happened, it must have been pretty big croc.”
Ms Russell said Mr Heard’s son had travelled to assist in the search which is yet to find any trace of the missing yachtie.
Cairns police Acting Inspector Andrew Cowie on Friday morning said authorities were considering “all issues” when asked if a crocodile could have been involved.
“There are a number of environmental dangers in that area,” he said. “Our priority at the moment is to locate him.
“We have a number of resources focusing on mangroves in the area.”
Wildlife officer Ren Bone said that based on the damage, “we do believe there is some involvement of a crocodile”.
“What involvement that is, we’re not entirely sure at this stage,” he said.
Acting Inspector Cowie urged anyone with any information to contact authorities.
The Hinchinbrook waters are notorious for its population of saltwater crocodiles, as well as sharks. Local fishermen, SES, Coast Guard and DES are assisting police with the search.
Originally published as Grisly find during search for yachtie in croc-infested waters
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