Police continue probe into ‘freak’ double fatality
AUSTRALIA DAY TRAGEDY
POLICE are continuing to probe the circumstances surrounding a double fatality at an Australia Day party in Julatten.
Brisbane woman Kirsty Cini, 24, and Julatten teenager Zack Jenkins, 15, were pulled from a dam on a property on Mossman Mount Molloy Road on Friday afternoon.
Their bodies were recovered within minutes of one another but in separate incidents.
A '40-50m' waterslide into the dam is a key focal point of the investigation, with witnesses reporting seeing the girl 'quite limp' as she entered the water after using the slide.
"Searches were undertaken to find her because she didn't surface," said Acting Inspector Rob Campbell.
"At which time the body of the 15-year-old boy was pulled from the dam… (only) then (had) people became aware he had been missing for a short time."
The boy’s parents were also at the party, which was attended by around 50 people.
Campbell said there was around a 20-minute window between the boys death and his last sighting.
"At this stage our investigations are trying to look at the manner in which he came to be in the water, and what the timing was around that," he said.
The large waterside, constructed of rubber matting, was a popular activity at the annual 'invite only' event.
"The safety of the structure will form part of the investigation," Campbell said.
Campell said while alcohol was involved at the party, investigations didn't indicate a large amount was consumed.
Police will continue to interview people this week, but were, so far, treating the incident as a "freak occurrence."
"We are certainly looking at it as a very tragic event that has occurred on this day," Campbell said.
"This was really unforeseen."
An incident centre has been set up at Mareeba police station during the investigation.
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