Armed and legless - manhunt leads to arrest
Jennifer Eliot
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
© The Cairns Post
A MAN who rolled his vehicle near Kuranda is alleged to have fired shots at a person who came to his aid before spending eight hours on the run from police in bushland yesterday.
The drama began at 1pm when a 33-year-old man was involved in a single vehicle traffic accident on Oak Forest Rd, 10km from Kuranda. It ended when he was caught near a family member’s home at 8.20pm. No one was injured.
Police began a full-scale search following a report from local residents that shots had been fired and two men, one of them armed, had fled from the scene.
The Cairns Post understands the alleged gunman, who is a double amputee with two prosthetic legs, is also wanted in relation to an alleged stabbing in Farmer St, Edmonton, on Sunday.
It is alleged a man was stabbed in the stomach with a kitchen knife.
Police initially cordoned off access to Oak Forest Rd at the Myola traffic lights but later moved the cordon back to the Kowrowa Store, 750m up the road from where residents reported hearing shots.
A resident, whose partner remained at their Green Forest Rd home, said her boyfriend heard gunshots ring out.
"I was on the phone to him and he said he heard gun shots and lots of shouting," she said.
A police spokesman said last night the man had been taken to the Cairns watch-house and police would question him.
"Police have been told that two men were seen exiting the ute and then leaving the scene," he said.
"Police were also told that it is believed one of the men may be armed with a firearm.
"There were also reports of shots being fired."
The spokesman said police would now re-interview witnesses.
"Police have to piece together what happened at the scene," he said.
At the height of the drama, more than 100 people were stopped from returning to their homes and were left stranded at the Kowrowa store and many more residents living nearby were drawn to the scene.
People were frustrated at not being able to return to their homes but remained calm and did not present any problems for police.
The Police obviously dawdled.............
