Shark scare closes Scarborough, Trigg beaches

BIG FISH: Curious onlookers got a surprise today when a 2m headless tiger shark was found south of Cottesloe groyne. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

BIG FISH: Curious onlookers got a surprise today when a 2m headless tiger shark was found south of Cottesloe groyne. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

BIG FISH: Curious onlookers got a surprise today when a 2m headless tiger shark was found south of Cottesloe groyne. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

BIG FISH: Curious onlookers got a surprise today when a 2m headless tiger shark was found south of Cottesloe groyne. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

SCARBOROUGH and South Trigg beaches have been re-opened after a 3m shark forced the closure of both beaches earlier this afternoon.

Surf Life Saving WA said the shark was seen about 1pm by the Westpac Helicopter feeding on bait fish between Trigg and Scarborough beaches and the water was cleared.

Bunker Bay near Dunsborough was also closed earlier this afternoon when eight hammerhead sharks were spotted in the water.

Earlier today, a headless tiger shark became a curiosity for beachgoers after it was hauled out of the water this morning on the south side of Cottesloe groyne.

The shark, which had its head cut off, was found in the water by a snorkeller about 10.25am.

Cottesloe surf lifesavers hauled the shark, thought to be about 2m long, out of the water.

It appears the shark was probably caught on the Cottesloe groyne last night by fishermen, who cut its head off and the carcass was thrown back into the ocean on the southern side of the groyne.

Grant Dull, 55, on holidays in Perth from Seattle in the US, made the grisly find as he was snorkelling on the south side of Cottlesloe groyne.

He said there was a lot of blood on the concrete groyne, indicating the shark had probably been killed there.

"I was one of the first people who saw it,'' Mr Dull said.

"I was out snorkeling and was coming back when I saw a very large shark in the water which was obviously dead.

"I certainly didn't want to be in the water with another dead animal. It was about 2m long, but the head was missing.

"There was a lot of blood on the concrete jetty (groyne) and a lot of blood where the shark was hauled out of the water.''

A Department of Fisheries spokeswoman said staff from the department were heading to the scene to confirm the species of the shark but said it was up to the local council, the town of Cottesloe, to remove the carcass from the beach.

Just a week ago, there was a pack of 12-16 tiger sharks feeding on a dolphin carcass just metres off the beach between Scarborough and Trigg beaches.

In the South West, a 3m shark has been spotted just 20m off Injidup Point, a popular surf break near Margaret River.

Pilots on board South West rescue helicopter  saw the shark 20m offshore Injidup Point tracking north.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

No charges for boys over suspicious fires

ARSON: Two boys are being questioned by police over a series of deliberately lit fires in South Lakes overnight.   Source: PerthNow

TWO juveniles who were being questioned by police over several suspicious scrub fires in South Lake overnight have been released without charge.

Between 10.15pm and 2.15am, firefighters and a number of police resources including Police Airwing and the Dog Squad were called to several locations near South Lake Drive where the fires were believed to be have been deliberately lit.

Two boys, both aged 15, were assisting Fremantle Police with their inquiries into the fires and late this morning, both were released without charge.

Police are continuing with their inquiries and officers are yet to speak to a third male juvenile who they believe may be able to assist them.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or can provide further information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

With Perth and much of the state gripped by a severe heatwave, authorities are warning people to be extra vigilant of spot fires and firebugs.

Children playing with fire crackers are believed to have started a fire that threatened homes in Kenwick, Perth's southeast, last night about 9.30pm.

A Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said the blaze started in bush and burnt about two hectares.

In a separate incident, exhaust from a car is believed to have started a fire in Upper Swan, in Perth's northeast, when a man doing fencing work parked his car on dry grass.

About $500,000 damage was caused when a faulty air conditioner started a fire around 12.30am today in Embleton, in Perth's north-east.

One person was believed to have been in the house but they escaped injury.

In Chidlow, a car suspected of being involved in a burnout caught fire at 12.30am, costing $8000 in damage.

Two youths have also been questioned by police over two incidents in which fires were believed to have been deliberately lit.

The first was in Darlington, in Perth's east, at 7pm last night where witnesses reported hearing an explosive banging sound before a fire was spotted in some scrub.

Arson Squad investigators attended the scene this morning and detectives spoke to two juveniles, aged 11 and 14, who will be referred to the Juvenile and Family Fire Awareness program.

DFES responded to this fire in bushland near Darlington Road last night, which burnt through approximately 250 square metres of bush.

The second was in South Lake, in Perth's south, about 10pm where tree scrubs and grass were set alight.

The DFES warns that residents need to be careful and aware of potential fire hazards, especially for the remainder of the week as Perth swelters in the heat and more accidental fires are likely.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Severe storm warning north of Perth

WARNING: The Bureau has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of WA north and north-east of Perth. Source: PerthNow

A SEVERE thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of central WA north of Perth.

The thunderstorm forecast, issued this morning, warns of damaging wind, large hail and heavy rainfall for the Gascoyne, Central West and Central Wheat Belt forecast districts

The warning is for people in an area bounded by Wongan Hills to Moora to Mullewa to Murchison, Cue to Mount Jackson to Wongan Hills.

This includes people in or near Dalwallinu.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding from this afternoon in parts of the Gascoyne, Central West and Central Wheat Belt forecast districts.

The storms could hit this afternoon and evening.

Storms may be accompanied by:

- DAMAGING WINDS

- LARGE HAIL

- HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING.

Storms could cause damage to homes and property.

The overall weather pattern is not unusual for this time of year but severe weather may occur in some parts of the warning area.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

    Store or weigh down loose objects such as outdoor furniture.
    Have an emergency kit with a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit.
    Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area.
    Move vehicles under cover.
    Boat owners should securely moor their boats.
    Campers should find shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Compensation likely for drug mix-up victim

COMPENSATION: A man wrongly held and drugged at Graylands Mental Hospital is likely to receive compensation. Source: PerthNow

A MAN who was wrongly administered a strong antipsychotic drug at a Perth mental hospital after being mistaken for a missing patient is probably entitled to compensation, the state's health minister says.

Police arrested the man on December 16 because he fitted the description of a patient who was missing from Perth's Graylands Hospital.

Staff wrongly confirmed the man's identity and gave him a antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia.

The mistake was realised when the man had an adverse reaction to the medication and had to be rushed to hospital.
Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said today the man was probably entitled to compensation over the mix-up.

``On the face of it, this is clearly a case where compensation should be made,'' she said.

``However, we will have to await the outcome of the full inquiry and we are aware of all the facts before the matter can be fully considered.''

Ms Morton said the case was an ``absolute priority'' for her and she had asked for an inquiry to take place in a week.

``I am hoping this is an isolated incident made by human error but I will know more about that from the inquiry,'' she said.

The minister said she was ``shocked and appalled'' that such an error could occur.

``I am very sorry for the distress and hurt that the misidentified man has endured,'' Ms Morton said.

``I find it hard to imagine that if proper processes were followed there is any excuse for such a terrible mistake to be made.

``I will await the outcome of the clinical review; however, people must be held accountable for this dreadful mistake and to ensure that it never happens again.''

Ms Morton said she was also seeking clarification from the Health Department about the man's follow-up care.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Six prison guards attacked at Christmas

VIOLENCE FLARES: A violent inmate at WA's main maximum security prison has attacked two guards over Christmas. Source: PerthNow

FOUR prison officers have been assaulted by inmates and another two were injured at three West Australian jails over the Christmas period.

A violent inmate at Casuarina Prison, who has previously attacked staff, assaulted two prison officers who were moving him between cells on Christmas Eve.

The Department of Corrective Services said one officer received bruising and abrasions to his forearm but remained on duty.

Another officer received arm and finger injuries and bruised ribs, while a third officer injured his elbow. Both left the prison to seek further treatment.

In another incident on Christmas Eve, two officers were injured at Roebourne Regional Prison while attempting to handcuff an inmate.

The officers came into contact with blood from the prisoner and the WA Prison Officers' Union said they were being tested for a blood borne virus.

In a third incident, an officer at Acacia Prison was struck in the head on Boxing Day while trying to defuse a volatile situation with a prisoner.

The officer was taken to Swan Districts Hospital and later released.

The union claimed another officer was also assaulted in the scuffle but the DCC said no such report was made to them.

A DCC spokesman said assaults were inevitable due to the nature of the prisoners incarcerated in WA prisons.

"While officers are highly trained in dealing with prisoners and conflict situations, the department also aims to mitigate violence,'' he said.

The spokesman said the Justice Intelligence Service conducted risk assessments on every prisoner entering the prison system and rated their propensity for violent behaviour.

There were alerts on the department's prisoner database to advise of risks to other prisoners and staff. Information was also collated regarding prisoner conflicts with family, gangs and other inmates, he said.

However, union secretary John Welch said despite the protocols, prison officers continued to suffer at the hands of the state's most violent criminals.

"While most people have been home enjoying the festive season with their families, these officers have been assaulted while helping protect the community,'' he said.

Mr Welch said the government should recognise the risks prison officers face and pay them appropriately.

Prison officers have long been calling for better pay and conditions, higher staff levels and new prison facilities to deal with overcrowding.

The WA government made a pay offer earlier this month, which the union rejected, describing it as "underwhelming''.

But the government said the offer was in line with the consumer price index.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wrong man drugged at mental hospital

HORRIBLE MISTAKE: A man has been illegally detained and drugged at Graylands Hospital. Source: PerthNow

A MAN was given anti-psychotic drugs after he was mistaken for an escaped Graylands patient, having been picked up by police and detained at the hospital.

The shocking incident occurred earlier this month and authorities did not realise they had made the blunder until after they gave the innocent man a cocktail of powerful drugs.

The man fell ill after being given the drugs and needed hospital treatment.

An investigation into the incident is now underway.

The series of events started after a patient at the hospital left without permission in mid December.

Police were called to help locate the patient and several days later, a man with the same description of the escapee was brought back to Graylands by police where he was wrongly identified by hospital staff as the runaway patient.

The man was subsequently given a batch of antipsychotic drugs but it caused an adverse reaction and he was treated overnight in hospital.

The "real" missing patient eventually returned to Graylands.

Health authorities and WA Police have both launched their own investigations into the incident.

WA Mental Health Minister Helen Morton has reportedly apologised for the blunder and labelled the incident a "dreadful mistake."
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man charged over West Perth sex attack

CHARGED: A man has been charged over a sex attack on a woman in West Perth in March. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have charged a man over a terrifying sex attack on a woman in West Perth in March.

Detectives from the Sex Assault Squad charged the 44-year-old Como man following two similar incidents in West Perth earlier this year.

The first incident happened about 8.30pm on March 30 where it will be alleged the man approached a 19-year-old woman, forced her to the rear of a building in Ord Street at knifepoint and sexually assaulted her.

The second incident occurred about 4.30pm on April 29 where it is alleged the man approached another woman on Colin Street demanding she go to a nearby car park.

The victim threw her handbag at the man before she managed to run away.

It will also be alleged that in both incidents the man lifted his shirt to display the handle of a firearm to both victims.

The man has been charged with attempted armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, two counts of aggravated sexual penetration without consent and armed robbery.

He will appear in the East Perth Magistrates Court today.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Collie bushfire under control

HOT WORK: Firefighters are battling a blaze near Collie in the south of the state. Source: PerthNow

FIREFIGHTERS have contained a bushfire burning about 15km from Collie, in the state's South West.

The bushfire is now being held within containment lines.

The Department of Environment and Conservation has issued an All Clear notice for people on the foreshore of Wellington Dam, 15km south-west of Collie.

There is no threat to lives or homes, but motorists should avoid the area.

Firefighters continue to battle warm conditions, with a 34C maximum forecast for Collie, but fire conditions are not as extreme in the South West as other parts of the state.

The bushfire is moving slowly in a north-westerly direction.

Firefighters are at the scene, assisted by a Type-1 medium helicopter and two fixed-wing waterbombers.

The fire, which was discovered this morning, is believed to be accidental.

Mundaring fire under control

Meanwhile, a bushfire in the Shire of Mundaring is now under control.

All roads have been opened in the eastern part of Boya, which is about 19km from Perth.

Firefighters have been at the scene since the fire was reported yesterday at about 5.30pm yesterday.

The blaze, which is believed to have been deliberately lit, burnt about one hectare.

Crews will monitor the area for the rest of the day.

Wundowie fire under control

A suspicious fire that started in Wundowie on Sunday is no longer moving and is now burning within containment lines.

Volunteer firefighters from Toodyay Bushfire Brigade are patrolling the area and dampening down hot spots.

An Air Intelligence chopper surveyed the area this morning.

A bushfire Advice alert remains in place for residents in Kingia Road, in the eastern part of Wundowie.

There is no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area.
 
People are asked to report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 
KEEP UP TO DATE:
Visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au, call 1300 657 209 or listen to news bulletins.
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Donate unwanted gifts to blind'

DONATE THEM: West Aussies are being urged to donate unwanted Christmas gifts to the blind.   Source: Herald Sun

WEST Australians are being encouraged to donate their unwanted Christmas presents to the blind.

Perth residents can drop off their unwanted presents at Harbour Town shopping centre where they'll be be passed on to the Association for the Blind of WA.

Harbour Town marketing manager Helen Smith said the presents would be donated to those in need or auctioned off to collect funds for the association.

``This partnership solves the age-old Christmas quandary of what to do with those gifts that just aren't quite right for you,'' she said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Association for the Blind WA's Tony Hagan said the donations would provide critical funds for the disadvantaged.

``Support of this nature is essential to helping us spread the awareness message and deliver our Guide Dog Program and other vital services for people who are blind or vision impaired,'' he said.

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Goldfields: Hoon driver clocked at 208km/h

TOO FAST: A man has had his Holden ute impounded for 28 days after being clocked doing 208km/h in a 100km/h zone near Coolgardie. Source: PerthNow

TOO FAST: A man has had his Holden ute impounded for 28 days after being clocked doing 208km/h in a 100km/h zone near Coolgardie. Source: PerthNow

POLICE have charged a driver with allegedly speeding nearly 100km/h over the limit near Coolgardie this morning.

Traffic officers in a marked patrol car were conducting high visibility patrols of Great Eastern Highway after a number of recent crashes between Southern Cross and Coolgardie, in the Goldfields.

The officers spotted a black Holden Commodore ute travelling at 208km/h in the 110km/h at about 8.35am about 5km west of the Coolgardie townsite, 550km east of Perth.

They stopped the vehicle and arrested the 21-year-old driver.

He will be charged by summons with reckless driving and is due to face court next month.

The vehicle was seized for 28 days.
 
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More