Missing fisherman sparks croc fears

POLICE are investigating a possible crocodile attack in far north Queensland after concerns about a missing fisherman.

Police have released images of a cast net and thongs found on a beach near Weipa and are asking people who can help identify the owner of the property to come forward.

Volunteers from the State Emergency Service are currently searching the area, which is a known crocodile habitat.

The gear was found by a member of the public about 7am today on the bank of the creek near the carpark of a hotel. 

Weipa Town Authority posted a warning of a large "aggressive" crocodile stalking people and dogs on the beach just ten days ago.

WTA chief executive Ian Pressley said police had found a cast net and pair of thongs and were treating the matter as "suspicious"

"There are no signs of a body or an attack," said Mr Pressley.

"We are not aware if anyone has even been reported missing yet.

"But at this stage it is being treated as a possible croc attack, there has been a big one hanging around."

One local Weipa fisherman said tourists had been seen fishing off the beach at in knee deep water in recent days.

The WTA warning on April 24 said: "Recent sighting of a large size crocodile has been reported along the Rocky Point Beach area over the last few days.

"Reports indicate that the crocodile has been stalking people and dogs moving along the beach.

"Numerous sightings of Large Aggressive Crocodile have been reported in Trunding Creek near the Albatross Hotel Resort and Weipa Camping Grounds.

"Please be extra vigilant and cautious while in these areas, but also remember that crocodiles inhabit most waterways on Cape York so caution applies to all these areas."

In the last near-fatal attack, Todd Bairstow, was lucky to survive after he was trapped in the jaws of a crocodile in March 2011.

The Rio Tinto bauxite mine worker was fishing on the banks of Trunding Creek near the Albatross Hotel in Weipa when a 4m crocodile lunged out of the water.

He told how the croc kept rolling "around and around" in the death roll trying to drag him into deeper water.

He revealed how he battled the monster croc which lunged "out of nowhere" and latched onto his leg for 40 minutes by punching it, poking it in the eyes and trying to pull its jaws apart.

Both his legs were broken in the death rolls and he was up to his neck in water when a hero rescuer heard his screams.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au.

 

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Fears for missing teen

Police have released a picture of 15-year-old April Skelton, who has not been seen since February 5. Picture: Police media Source: Supplied

A TEENAGE girl has gone missing from her home in Horsham.

Police have released a picture of 15-year-old April Skelton, who has not been seen since February 5.

“It is believed she has made contact via phone with a number of people since that time, however police have serious concerns for April’s welfare given her young age,” Victoria Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said.

Missing teen found at fast-food restaurant

April is described as being 140cm tall, thin build, long dark hair and a fair complexion.

“Police have released an image of April in the hope someone recognises her and can provide information regarding her whereabouts,” Natalie Webster said.

Police ask anyone who knows where she is to call 000.

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Austrian hostage fears for life

An Austrian man taken hostage in Yemen late last year has appeared in a ransom video appealing for help.

AN Austrian man, kidnapped in Yemen late last year with a Finnish couple, says in a video posted online that his captors will kill him in a week if their demands are not met, media reports say.

The video, posted on YouTube on February 21, was confirmed as authentic by Finnish and Austrian authorities, the Austrian APA agency said.

"My name is Dominik Neubauer. I'm an Austrian citizen. I've been taken hostage on the 21st of December 2012 by a Yemeni tribe," the hostage says in the video, a gun held to his head.

"I appeal to the Yemeni government, to the Austrian government and to all the governments concerned and to the European Union to give them what they want. Otherwise, they will kill me seven days after this video is published," he says.

Austrian foreign ministry spokesman Martin Weiss told APA that the video was the first proof of life but refused to further elaborate on the captors' demands or the existence of any negotiation.

Yemeni forces late last month suspended an offensive aimed at freeing the three foreign hostages that cost more than 65 lives.

Tribal mediators were allowed to attempt a negotiation with the kidnappers.

The Austrian man and Finnish man and woman were abducted in the capital Sanaa as they prepared to travel to the southern port of Aden via Yemen's second city Taez.

Most kidnappings of foreigners are carried out by members of the country's powerful tribes who use them as bargaining chips in disputes with the central government.

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Fears for woman missing in Cape York

POLICE hold grave concerns for a woman missing in a remote area of Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland.

The 23-year-old Kowanyama woman was reported missing on February 14, after she failed to return home from a visit to Archer River near Coen.

Police believe she was walking home to Kowanyama from Coen, a distance of more than 390km.

Extensive aerial and land searches have failed to locate the woman.

Police dive squads have been called in to search rivers and swamps later this week.

Cairns officers would like to speak to a man and a woman seen in a red Toyota Landcruiser at Archer River around 2pm on Sunday February 10.

They are believed to be the last people to see the woman before her disappearance.

She is described as being of indigenous descent, 155cm tall, with a slim build and long brown hair.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen the woman on the Peninsula Development Road around Archer River between February 11 and 14 to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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