Boat fire on Kinchant Dam, passenger taken to Mackay Base Hospital
A boat caught fire while in use at the popular dam to the west of Mackay.
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A boat has caught fire while in use at a popular swimming site to the west of Mackay.
The private vessel was about 100m from the boat ramp on Kinchant Dam before catching fire.
Both police and fire services attended the scene about 12.50pm on Sunday.
Emergency services arrived after the boat had been brought to the shoreline, where bystanders extinguished the fire.
The boat’s passenger was taken to Mackay Base Hospital in a private car.
It is believed the fire is not suspicious, with a mechanical fault the likely issue.
The fire follows the tragic death of Cairns boatie Steve Argoon, who fell overboard while holidaying at Kinchant Dam.
Mr Argoon drowned in the dam in November, 2021, with rescue divers taking more than two days to recover the body.
The dam was closed to members of the public for about a week after the initial incident.
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Originally published as Boat fire on Kinchant Dam, passenger taken to Mackay Base Hospital
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