Three local lives have been lost in the Atherton Tablelands region over the past four days, with two involved in separate traffic incidents and another the subject of a search operation in a popular swimming area.
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On Thursday, a 50-year-old Mareeba man was struck by a truck at a worksite on the Burke Development Road, north west of Chillagoe.
The incident occurred at about 1.10pm.
He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations by the Forensic Crash Unit and Workplace Health and Safety are continuing, while a report will be prepared for the coroner.
On Saturday, a 20-year-old Tablelands man went missing in the Emerald Falls area, south west of Mareeba.
The man’s friends reported him missing after he walked ahead of them on Emerald Falls Road.
Police then closed the road to carry out a land and aerial search, which continued into the night.
SES officers, specialist police and swift water rescue joined the effort at first light on Sunday morning.
Crews located the man’s body at about 4.15pm yesterday.
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“Police will now prepare a report for the Coroner,” a police spokesperson said.
“The Queensland Police Service extends its sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
The road has since been reopened.
The man’s death comes less than a month after the drowning of a 19-year-old Edmonton woman in Babinda Boulders’ notorious Devil’s Pool.
Also on Sunday, a local man died in a single vehicle crash near Lake Tinaroo.
“Preliminary information suggests the 53-year-old man had been driving along Burton Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree,” a police spokesperson said.
“The Tinaroo man suffered significant injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
“We're considering whether or not a medical episode may have been in that incident,” Acting Inspector Andrew Cowie said.
The Forensic Crash Unit is continuing to investigate.
