Watersports blog

The authorities finally found a family of three that were reported missing on a canoeing trip down the Mitchell River in far north Queensland.

The family, composed of a mother, father and a seven-year old son, left Mount Carbine at the northern part of Cairns late on Friday but evening has passed and they still have not arrived at the pick up point.

According to reports, a massive air and land search was launched and the State Emergency Service (SES) personnel were also contacted to assist with the search. The authorities then saw the family just before nine in the morning about twenty kilometers off from where they started.

The family stated that they got lost during the canoeing adventure and was forced to take shelter under their canoe while waiting for the rescue team they luckily had waterproofs and were wearing appropriate swimwear.

Rolf Straatemeier of the Mareeba District said that the canoeing party failed to check out the length of the journey and ran out of light but still managed to set camp at a nearby river bank.