QLD: Dingoes kill boy and attack brother

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2001
QLD: Dingoes kill boy and attack brother

Dingoes stalked and fatally mauled a nine-year-old boy and savaged his younger brother
today on Queensland's Fraser Island.

Police believe the dingoes followed the dead boy and a seven-year-old friend after
the pair left the Waddy Point camping ground on the northern tip of the world heritage-listed
island.

The boys were frightened by the dingoes, part of a pack of about 40 that inhabit the district.

Police say the boys, both from Brisbane, were running back to the camping ground when
the elder one fell.

His younger companion raised the alarm the father of the nine-year-old, accompanied
by his six-year-old son, raced to the scene.

Police say the nine-year-old was dead by the time his father arrived.

The man's six-year-son then attempted to run back to camp but was attacked by dingoes
lurking in nearby bush.

The seven-year-old friend who raised the alarm was unhurt.

The brother of the dead boy was flown to Hervey Bay Hospital by an Energex rescue helicopter
and is being treated for multiple bites to the arms and legs.

A hospital spokesman says the boy is due to be released from hospital later today.

The death follows numerous dingo attacks on tourists at Fraser Island in recent years.

Police say a coroner has gone to the island, 45 minutes by ferry from the mainland,
to prepare a report.

Queensland Police Commissioner BOB ATKINSON says the attack was reported at 9.45am (AEST).





The nine-year-old boy's death comes more than 20 years after baby AZARIA CHAMBERLAIN
disappeared from a family tent at Uluru in a suspected dingo attack.

AND Queensland Premier PETER BEATTIE says a risk assessment will be carried out to
determine if all the dingoes on the island, believed to number about 200, should be destroyed.

AAP RTV geb/sc/hn

KEYWORD: DINGO (BRISBANE)

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