Cape York Weekly FREE – #096 | Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au
Community rallies for major search and rescue
Prayers answered By SAMUEL DAVIS
A DESPERATE 67-hour search to find an elderly Aurukun man has ended with a family member discovering him “stuck in the mud” in a nearby swamp. Burt Wikmunea, who suffers from multiple health issues, went missing around 4pm on Wednesday after failing to return home where he is cared for by family. His disappearance prompted around 40 volunteers and SES members to assist police in finding Mr Wikmunea across four days. Authorities believed it was the biggest search of its kind to have occurred in Aurukun. Aurukun mayor Keri Tamwoy said the result had answered the community’s prayers. She praised the community’s spirit and response in searching for the 60-year-old. Acting Inspector for the Cape Patrol Group, Warren Flegg, said extra resources were deployed from across Far North Queensland to aid the search party. “On Thursday afternoon we utilised a helicopter from Weipa but failed to uncover anything,” he told Cape York Weekly. “A (Bombardier 604) Challenger jet was also deployed from Cairns to pick up heat signatures on the ground – without success.” On the ground, community members scoured through bushland as well as the Aurukun cemetery and boat ramp. “All I did was ask for help and everyone just jumped in,” Senior Sergeant Amit Singh said. Continued – Page 2
ALL SMILES IN MAPOON
Daphne De Jersey and Debra Jia are excited about the pending opening of the new purpose-built primary health care centre in their community later this month. It promises to be a game-changer for the small Cape York township, located an hour north of Weipa. Full story – Page 5
E VER Y T HURSDAY 5 – 7.30PM
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