Warning signs ignored following waterfall deaths

Swimming Tragedies

Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

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Isabella Falls at Waterfall Close in Edmonton, south of Cairns, where a young woman died on Monday.

A spate of deaths and injury at some of Far North Queensland’s waterfalls has again questioned why swimmers do not follow the warning signs.

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science told Newsport, “I think you will find in most cases people ignore ‘do not swim’ signs or ‘safety barriers’.

The most recent death was at the Isabella Falls at Waterfall Close in Edmonton on Monday.

The woman, who has not been identified, plunged from the falls and did not survive her critical conditions. It has been reported that police will prepare a report for the coroner.

According to a NewsCorp report, emergency services rushed to reports a person had plunged from Isabella Falls at Waterfall Close in Edmonton about 3pm on Monday.

Paramedics have assessed a 19-year-old Manunda woman in a critical condition with critical injuries, but she sadly did not survive.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the circumstances of the young woman’s death were non-suspicious and the report to the coroner would consider whether it was a case of misadventure, said the NewsCorp report.

Restricted areas

The spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Science said restricted areas are clearly signed, and we ask all visitors to our national parks to obey all signs and avoid entering restricted areas as this can put their life, and the lives of others at risk.

“At Alligator Creek, water levels can rise rapidly without warning. Do not enter the creek following heavy rain.

“Never dive or jump from rocks into Alligator Creek. Be careful in and near the water as the rocks are slippery and there may be submerged objects.

“Serious injuries and deaths have occurred at Alligator Creek,” the statement said.

We urge all visitors to pay attention to our important safety messages so staff and visitors to our parks have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Visitors can check if any restricted areas are in place before they visit a national park by searching for the individual park’s website at:https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/


Other tragedies over the past two years

  • The body of Edmonton teen Chloe Narelle Bailey was found at the Babinda Boulders in December.
  • A 37-year-old Brisbane man reportedly plunging into the notorious Devil’s Pool, in October 2020.
  • In April 2020, the body of 18-year-old White Rock student, Madison Tam, was located while swimming in the notorious Devil’s Pool area of the Boulders.
  • This week, a man in his late 20s is in Townsville Hospital in critical condition during a fall at Alligator Creek.

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