Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Two bodies found in Queensland floodwaters
Two bodies have been found in the search for missing men in floodwaters north of Queensland.
February 5, 2019
The bodies of two men have been found after a search in flood-ravaged Townsville.
The bodies were found about midday on Tuesday as floodwaters receded in a large open stormwater drain running through the Aitkenvale Park, behind a public library.
Police say the bodies have been identified and their families notified.
The tragic find comes after Townsville police commenced a search operation for two men aged 21 and 23 who were last seen very early on Monday.
They had not been seen since the peak of the massive floods that have forced thousands of people from their homes.
The pair went missing just after an attempted break-in at a nearby Dan Murphy’s liquor store at 3am on Monday.
A local resident, who did not want to be named, saw police recovering the bodies.
Man-sized pipes spill into the drain where the pair were found, he said.
“It’s a direct line from Dan Murphy’s to where they found them,” he told AAP.
“There’s a drain just outside Dan’s and if they were sucked in there, they never stood a chance.”
A report will be prepared for the coroner and ethical standards officers will investigate the matter.