Mackay man charged after ocean rescue
A FORTY-SEVEN-year-old Mackay man has been charged with being a public nuisance after police had to rescue him from the ocean in Airlie Beach.
Lifeguards at the Lagoon called police after the man fell into the water while trying to climb down the rock wall near Airlie Bay on Saturday night. It's alleged he refused requests to get out of the water before swimming away from officers as they tried to rescue him.
A Mackay-based police officer swam out to the man who allegedly put up a bit of a fight before being taken back to shore and charged.
Officer in charge of Whitsunday Police Station, Senior Sergeant Steve O'Connell, said this was not a regular occurrence but there had been similar incidents about four times in the past two years.
The police officer was treated for cuts to his feet.
The man is to face Proserpine Magistrate Court later this month.
