A FATHER watched in horror as his four-year-old son was crushed and killed by a falling palm tree in the busy main street of Port Douglas yesterday.
Witnesses told how the man had been walking with his son along a footpath in the far north Queensland tourist centre when the tree suddenly crashed down on top of them.
Police are investigating what caused the freak accident near the corner of Owen and Macrossan streets about 2.30pm.
The weather bureau yesterday reported wind gusts of up to 35 knots in the area.
"I`ve never seen winds like it. The winds have been so strong it is near-cyclonic," one local said.
The visibly distraught father was taken to Mossman Hospital with head injuries.
In a heartbreaking scene, the little boy`s mother - who broke down in the street and sobbed as she realised her child had been killed - was comforted by bystanders and ambulance officers.
Dozens of shocked tourists milled around the area as police cordoned off the footpath and road near the boy`s body.
Officers have not released any names and said it was not known whether the family were tourists holidaying in the popular tropical village.
"It is one of those utterly freak accidents," Port Douglas police sergeant Damian Meadows said.
"Someone in the wrong place at the wrong time."
He said witnesses reported seeing the palm tree fall without warning as the father and son walked past.
"We are still investigating but it seems to be one of those unavoidable tragedies," Sgt Meadows said.
The owner of a restaurant close to the scene on a busy pedestrian intersection near the beach said many tourists and locals had been badly shaken by the tragedy.
"People were sitting down having coffee when suddenly `wham`," he said.
"This palm tree just came crashing down and killed a little boy.
"What a way to die.
"They were innocently walking along the footpath. It is all very traumatic for everyone."
Port Douglas is in its peak tourist season, with many families visiting the region for the September school holiday break.
Cairns regional mayor Val Shier, whose council covers Port Douglas, said although the tree was on private land the council had ordered a safety audit.
"In an awful case like this it shows the sort of risks that trees which are unhealthy and unstable pose," Cr Shier said.
