Camping trips have brought joy to thousands upon thousands of older travellers over many years. They have seen friendships forged, relationships strengthened and wonderful experiences shared … but, sadly, they have occasionally brought heartache and tragedy, as well.
The death of a 74-year-old man while camping with friends at Coconut Creek south-east of Koumala in Queensland, is an awful reminder of the tightrope we walk between adventure and disaster.
As he had done many times before, Lawrie Martin was away on a fishing trip with three close friends aged 86, 77 and 51. They were fishing in two different boats when one of the motors became tangled in some weed. The 86-year-old man jumped overboard to sort out the problem before he became stuck in mud.
Tragically, when Mr Martin went overboard to assist, it was he who got into trouble and drowned. His body was later found in the upper reaches of the creek among mangroves. The 86-year-old was rescued by the second boat.
In one final twist of terrible fate, when the three men returned to their campsite, which was on a private property about one kilometre away, they found a bushfire had swept through. Senior Sergeant Mark Sweetnam said the men’s campsite and their vehicle had been destroyed.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Comment below
