Aurukun disturbances
Senior police are praising the work of elders and members of the Aurukun community in helping to calm friction after tensions were heightened on Friday when a man’s foot was accidentally run over when officers attended a disturbance.
Preliminary information indicates that officers were called to a street disturbance involving a large number of people around 6.30pm. The man’s foot was accidentally run over when he approached a moving police car.
A 52-year-old Aurukun man was airlifted to Cairns Base Hospital for treatment to a foot injury.
An additional disturbance occurred late on Friday night during which time two officers’ sustained minor injuries and a small amount of damage was caused to the police station and police vehicles (windows).
A 20-year-old local man was charged with one count each of serious assault police and wilful damage of police property and has been remanded in custody to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court tomorrow (Monday, April 27).
A 19-year-old local woman was charged with serious assault police and was granted bail to appear in the Aurukun Court on May 14.
Three other people were also charged with public nuisance.
Last night police and elders successfully negotiated the return of a Queensland Health retrieval vehicle which had allegedly been stolen several hours earlier. The vehicle, which sustained mechanical damage, has been recovered. Investigations, including detailed negotiations with a number of people continue in relation to this incident.
Extra police were deployed to the community on Friday and officers continue to actively work with and consult with the community to ensure a peaceful outcome.
There have been no further incidents this morning and investigations into all of the incidents continues.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
