Bruce Hwy reopens at Bellenden Ker after vehicle leaves the road and hits a tree

A fatal single vehicle accident near Bellenden Ker shut down the Bruce Hwy to traffic in both directions as motorists report seeing a ‘totally smashed-up ute’.

7 min read

August 13, 2022 - 9:44AM

The Cairns Post

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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, August 8 to August 12.

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Amber Alert: Police say four children abducted from Maraju Yakapari Road at The Leap near Mackay

’Not listened to’: What domestic violence inquiry must consider

Dream comes true for 10-year-old girl travelling to Cairns

Cairns real estate: Cutter’s Rise at Gordonvale selling fast

FRIDAY’S NEWS

A fatal accident closed major highway

A man has died in Bellenden Ker on the Bruce Hwy after his vehicle left the road travelling south and struck a tree.

Police patrolling the area noticed the vehicle around 11.30am today and found the man deceased inside.

The unit was first to arrive at the scene, subsequently closing the Bruce Hwy to traffic in both directions about 4pm.

The sole occupant of the vehicle was found dead at the scene.

The road reopened to traffic in both directions about 4.45pm.

Motorists reported sitting in their vehicles for 45 minutes as traffic backed up behind them and seeing a “totally smashed-up ute” being towed away from the scene.

A forensic crash unit will investigate and police will prepare a report for the coroner.

THURSDAY’S NEWS

Man with gel blaster triggers mass Cairns police response

A MAN is in custody after making threats with what was perceived as a gun by his Mooroobool neighbour.

Multiple Cairns police units rushed to a Frances St address after a resident reported about 2.33pm to police a disturbance, with man seen “reloading a weapon” and making threats with the ”revolver”.

A Queensland police spokeswoman confirmed the “gun” was in fact a gel blaster.

The neighbour had initially reported to police he had heard an occupant of the house yell “drop it” and screaming and shouting.

There were also reports of a man waving a knife outside the address, but the spokeswoman said that was not the case.

The QPS spokeswoman said the man with the gel blaster was taken into custody a short time after police arrived and was yet to be charged.

Repairs underway to water main on the Esplanade

Cairns Regional Council is undertaking repairs to a ruptured water main and sinkhole on the Esplanade, near the Cairns Cenotaph.

The adjacent Esplanade road, as well as nearby sections of the boardwalk and shared path,

will be under traffic management while the emergency works are undertaken.

CRC is advising motorists there could be delays and road users are urged to consider an alternative route to avoid the area. Pedestrians and cyclists are being encouraged obey detour signs.

In a statement, a CRC spokesman said council was notified of the burst water main about 5.30am Thursday.

“The integrity of a mango tree, which was located almost directly above the ruptured water

main, was significantly undermined and is being removed,” the statement read.

“Council is unsure on how long repairs to the area will take as an assessment of any potential

damage to nearby infrastructure, including stormwater, the seawall, and electrical services,

will also need to be undertaken. Council apologises for any inconvenience.”

Man charged over theft of collectable car

Detectives on Wednesday charged a 31-year-old Biboohra man over the theft of a classic EH Holden from an Edmonton holding yard early on the morning of August 9.

Investigations led police to an inner city underground carpark where they located the vehicle in an undamaged condition about 9pm on the same day.

A review of CCTV led police to identify and arrest the man a few hours later, at approximately midnight on August 10.

He was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and receiving tainted property. The 31-year- old is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 26.

Property crime arrest

Officers from the Property Crime Squad on Wednesday arrested a 15-year-old Mooroobool boy allegedly wanted on a number of recent property offences in the greater Cairns area.

It will be alleged the teenager was involved in the burglary and theft of a Toyota hatchback from an Edge Hill home on August 7. The vehicle was located in a damaged state in Edmonton later that same day.

It will be further alleged he was involved in property offences in Bentley Park, Edge Hill and Cairns City between August 7 and August 10.

His bail was refused, he will appear before the Cairns Childrens Court.

WEDNESDAY’S NEWS

Youths to face 44 charges

Two boys aged 16 and 17 have been charged with 44 property offences over a period of three months in a range of suburbs from Smithfield to Atherton.

The 17-year-old boy has been charged with 28 offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, burglary and stealing allegedly committed in Edge Hill, Smithfield, Redlynch, Earlville, Atherton, Ravenshoe and Gordonvale between June 11 and August 8.

While the 16-year-old boy will face 16 charges including burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

The areas the offences were allegedly committed in were Yarrabah, Smithfield, Cairns North, Edge Hill, Westcourt, Freshwater and Parramatta Park between July 5 and August 8.

Bail was refused and they will appear in Cairns Childrens Court.

Two boys have been charged with 44 property offences.

Property charges in Cairns

A 17-year-old from Mooroobool was charged after he allegedly forced or attempted to force entry into nine hotel rooms at an Anderson Road resort on July 12.

He was charged with nine counts of entering a premise and one court each of wilful damage and entering a dwelling.

He is expected to appear in Cairns Childrens Court.

TUESDAY’S NEWS

Appeal for witnesses in Smithfield

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman allegedly armed with a knife was harassing and threatening members of the public at a Smithfield bus stop.

They are looking for anyone travelling along the Captain Cook Highway past the bus stop adjacent to Newman College on Friday July 29 about 4.30pm.

Anyone with dashcam footage or other information is urged to contact police.

The reference number is QP220129204.

Bentley Park search warrant executed

A 17-year-old Manoora girl was charged with one count each of burglary, posses dangerous drugs, possess utensils, wilful damage and four counts of receiving property suspected of being stolen.

A search warrant was executed on an Altona Street home on Monday where they located the girl.

The girl allegedly was involved in multiple offences in the past month. This included on July 18 where an Edmonds Street home in Bentley Park was broken into.

MONDAY’S NEWS

Cairns king tides

Residents and motorists are warned to prepare for king tides which will be coming to the Cairns region from Tuesday to Sunday night.

Motorists are advised to avoid parking in low-lying tidal areas and to never to drive through floodwaters.

Water at the Fernley Street boat ramp at Portsmith was peaking just below the roadway at a previous time where Cairns was experiencing king tides. Picture: Brendan Radke

King tides may be worsened by heavy rainfall.

Cairns Regional Council has reminded motorists that tidal flooding is saltwater, which can damage cars on contact.

Motorists were also urged to drive carefully and slowly, not only for the public’s safety, but to lessen the impact of bow waves, which can push water into adjacent properties.

When to expect king tides for Cairns (other areas may vary):

– Tuesday 9 August: 3.12m at 7.59pm

– Wednesday 10 August: 3.30m at 8.43pm

– Thursday 11 August: 3.38m at 9.24pm

– Friday 12 August: 3.35m at 10.02pm

– Saturday 13 August: 3.20m at 10.39pm

– Sunday 14 August: 2.95m at 11.15pm

Alleged stabbing

A 28-year-old man will face Mareeba Magistrates Court today charged with wounding and assault occasioning bodily harm following an alleged stabbing incident at Lake Tinaroo.

Police have alleged in the early hours of August 6, the man entered the bedroom of a 28- year-old work colleague yelling at him before then stabbing him twice in the shoulder and right arm.

The victim was rushed to Atherton hospital and remains in a stable condition.

Police have charged a man with wounding and assault.

Alleged mayhem by teens in stolen car

A teenage girl allegedly drove a stolen car up onto the footpath directly toward people walking, and continued driving with three flat tyres after a police deployed a stinger deflation device.

Police allege a 14-year-old boy with the 17-yeaar-old girl reversed the car directly toward police.

The incident occurred at Manunda at 5pm on August 7.

Police said the girl ran from the car, and officers jumped out of the way as the boy allegedly rammed a police car before driving off.

He was found hiding in a backyard a short time later.

Both teens have been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and burglary. Bail was opposed.

WEATHER

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a partly cloudy day for Cairns on Wednesday.

Tyler Everson and Mia Lute from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Picture: Brendan Radke

Across the region on Friday:

Cairns: Partly cloudy, 19C – 28C

Atherton: Partly cloudy, 13C – 22C

Cardwell: Partly cloudy, 17C – 25C

Cooktown: Partly cloudy, 20C – 27C

Innisfail: Partly cloudy, 18C – 25C

Mareeba: Partly cloudy, 15C – 26C

TRAFFIC

Cape Tribulation / Kimberley

Roadworks have been reported on Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road at Cape Tribulation / Kimberley

Long delays are expected in both directions towards Wujal Wujal.

Coen / Laura

The Peninsula Developmental Road is subject to a 5 Tonne GVM limit from Laura to Coen due to water over the road.

Edmonton/Gordonvale

Roadworks are being carried out on the Bruce Highway — Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale. Delays expected (during active hours of work), with all lanes in both directions affected. The work is expected to run until June 30, 2023.

Feluga

Major intersection upgrade at East Feluga Road and Bruce Hwy. Delays are expected to August 12, 2022.

Lake Eacham

Wrights Creek Road is closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route.

Ravenshoe

Roadworks have been reported at Grigg St, Ravenshoe and are expected to December 12, 2022.

Wrights Creek

Hill Road Closed permanently from the Bruce Highway to Harris Road to December 2024.