Missing man’s body recovered, police say he died saving the life of his daughter, 9
A dad who died in a boating accident on a Queensland dam saved his daughter’s life, police say.
The hunt for a man missing after falling off his boat on a dam near Mackay. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
The 40-year-old father and his daughter, aged nine, went overboard from their broken-down boat on Saturday morning.
Their family of six – including four children – were on board the boat at Kinchant Dam near Mackay.
The girl was rescued by a person on a jet ski after half an hour in the water.
Her father’s body was found on Monday morning.
Inspector Glenn Cameron said investigations are continuing into the incident.
“The preliminary information is that the actions of the man who is now deceased saved his young daughter’s life,” he said.
Insp Cameron said whether the pair were wearing life jackets will be part of the investigation.
The mother and three other children all made it to shore safely.
Insp Cameron thanked volunteers and community members involved in the search, saying the man’s family was front of mind.
“Thoughts are with the family who’ve lost a loved one in these tragic circumstances,” he said.
“We never want to see something like this happen.”
Police have finalised their operations at the dam and will prepare a report for the coroner.
