Hastings St death: Man in custody after deadly Noosa attack

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of an elderly man in Noosa near the iconic Hastings St.

An elderly man on his morning walk through the tourist haven of Noosa Heads was allegedly set upon and killed in a terrifying random attack on Sunday.

Bystanders rushed to help the 87-year-old local, who suffered severe facial injuries, but he died on a boardwalk just metres from one of the state’s most iconic tourist strips.

A 27-year-old man was taken into custody after he was allegedly found nearby.

Police and paramedics were called to a walking path behind Noosa’s well-known Hastings St – and just metres from Main Beach – at 6am after passers-by found the man unconscious.

They attempted to help him but he died at the scene.

Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey would not comment on whether a weapon was used, but confirmed police divers were conducting a search off Main Beach Groyne.

“It’s tragic circumstances for an elderly male going out for his morning walk,” he said.

“The injuries were quite severe to his face.

“He was lying face-up … on the concrete path.

Police dive crews search for clues near the scene of the fatal attack. Picture: Lachie Millard

“At this stage we are following our leads as to what happened down near the groyne.

“We can’t comment further on what we are looking for.”

Det Insp Toohey said the elderly man was found on the boardwalk path just inside Noosa Woods, north of Hastings St.

He said the younger man was found about 100m away.

“Circumstances brought us to his location,” he said.

“No charges have been laid at this stage.

“It is concerning for a male person going out on a walk on a Sunday morning that he has sustained these injuries and tragically died from it.”

Det Insp Toohey said there were “a number of events” that took place during the morning that police were investigating but would not confirm whether anyone else was targeted.

“We are early on in the investigation,” he said.

He said the man in police custody was from Queensland but not local to Noosa.

Nearby business owner Greg Peeler, who runs Hearts and Minds Art, said it was a “hell of a shock” when he arrived at work Sunday morning.

“I saw the ambulances and the police arrive, so it was pretty unsettling really,” he said.

Forensic police at the scene of the fatal attack. Picture: Lachie Millard

He said the incident had been the main topic of conversation with passers by all morning.

“It’s bloody confronting in Hastings St, you don’t expect it in Noosa,” Mr Peeler said.

“Our quiet little town’s not a quiet little town anymore. Very unsettling.”

Merrick’s Learn to Surf instructor Crawford Clarke said they’d had to cancel lessons this morning after the shocking incident in Noosa Woods, near where the business operates.

“We came down about 8am, one of our boys was there from earlier, but police were there setting up tape and investigating so they told us to basically back off and shutdown for the day,” Mr Clarke said.

“I didn’t see a whole lot, just them setting up.

“We had people booked in but we had to tell them that police had taken over and there was not a lot we could do really. It’s a little bit hectic, quite scary actually.”

Another Noosa resident who wished not to be identified said it was “all quite a shock”.

“It’s not something you expect but it is quite confronting when you see the police in numbers,” the man said.

“It’s sad for the man and of course for his family.”

Anyone with relevant CCTV captured between midnight and 6am has also been urged to contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hearts and Minds Art Home’s Greg Peeler

Originally published as Hastings St death: Man in custody after deadly Noosa attack