In a distressing turn of events, a body has been located in the Fitzroy River, known for its crocodile population, following the disappearance of a 36-year-old man during a police pursuit.
The incident unfolded on Thursday at approximately 6 pm when the 36-year-old man reportedly submerged himself in the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, Queensland, as officers were in pursuit, as per Chief Inspector Mark Burgess.
Upon reaching the riverbank, authorities attempted to verbally persuade the individual to return for his own safety. Burgess explained that during the interaction, the man displayed signs of distress, uttering cries for help before vanishing underwater, hinting at a potentially dire turn of events.
Subsequent to a search and rescue operation, the body was discovered by a member of the public around 11 pm on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as a 36-year-old resident of Kawana.
The Fitzroy River, notorious for its crocodile inhabitants, posed considerable hazards during the search efforts. Notably, a 4.5-meter crocodile was removed from the waterway in July, underscoring the potential dangers of the region.
To facilitate an extensive surface and aerial search, authorities established a marine exclusion zone within the Fitzroy River on Saturday.
The circumstances surrounding the man’s demise are currently under investigation by law enforcement.
