The Leap man Joshua Gary Jethro Carter in Mackay court

A Mackay man linked to an Amber Alert has revealed details of a fatal workplace accident that left him with PTSD. Read what happened.

A Mackay man who sparked an Amber Alert over the disappearance of four children revealed serious mental illness stemming from a horror death at a mine site.

Joshua Gary Jethro Carter pleaded guilty in Mackay Magistrates Court on Friday, September 16, to possessing dangerous drugs, drug utensils and other charges.

Defence solicitor Geoff Govey of Taylor’s Solicitors told the court that Mr Carter’s PTSD arose from an incident involving a bulldozer driver in 2019 when he hit two people, killing one and incapacitating the other.

An amber alert has been issued after four young children were taken from a property at The Leap near Mackay.

“There were two people sitting in a particular area of the mine they weren’t supposed to be in (and) he’s come around the corner and hit them”, Mr Govey said.

“I understand it was very messy.

“There were limbs everywhere.

“That was the last time he worked and that’s where the PTSD arose from.”

The court heard that Mr Carter’s mental health was in serious decline in the days leading up to an incident on August 11.

Police at the scene of an alleged abduction from The Leap, near Mackay. August 12, 2022. Picture: Janessa Ekert

An Amber Alert was issued after children, aged eight to three, went missing from their home at The Leap.

The children were located safe and well the next day.

Carter, 28, was arrested on Tuesday following the execution of a search warrant at a property at The Leap.

He has not been charged with any offence in relation to taking the children.

Mr Govey said that the amber alert had led to “prejudice”.

“The knock-on effect from that now is that he’s being assaulted constantly while he’s in custody, because everyone thinks he has charges of indecent treatment because he took these four children.”

An amber alert has been issued after four young children were taken from a property at The Leap near Mackay.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer agreed that Mr Carter’s mental health required support and heard that his brother was applying on his behalf for treatment.

“I think the best thing for this family is for Mr Carter to go to the rehabilitation at Townsville (Private Mental Health Clinic)”, Magistrate Dwyer said.

“My number one priority is for you to get that counselling.”

The matter was adjourned until October 12, 2022, with Mr Carter to stay in custody while applications were made.

Originally published as The Leap man Joshua Gary Jethro Carter in Mackay court