Search off Hinchinbrook Island

Issued: 12 Feb 2021

Wildlife officers are working with police to investigate the disappearance of a man who failed to return from a fishing trip in the Hinchinbrook Island area.

Around 5am, police contacted the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for advice and assistance after a damaged 2.5 metre dingy was located upside down near the mouth of the Gayundah Creek on the southwestern side of Hinchinbrook Island.

Two wildlife teams have been deployed and further resources will be sent into the area today.

Departmental experts on the ground have examined the vessel and determined that it is highly likely that a crocodile is involved, however the exact circumstances and sequence of events remain unknown.

A search for the animal is now underway.

An Incident Control Room (ICR) has been established in Townsville.

Our thoughts are with the family of the missing man at this time.