Canadian tourist Piper James drowned after being attacked by dingoes on K’gari, coroner finds
Canadian tourist Piper James drowned “as a result” of dingo attacks on K’gari earlier this year, a coroner has found.
The 19-year-old’s body was found at remote 75 Mile Beach on the World Heritage-protected South East Queensland sand island on January 19.
Before he died, James told his friends that he was going to go swimming early.
Initial inquests by the Queensland Coroner’s Court Found that James probably drowned after being attacked by a group of dingoes confirmed.
“Piper died from asphyxiation in the setting of multiple injuries caused by or as a result of a dingo attack,” a court spokesman said.
“The investigation into Piper’s death is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.”
James’ father, Todd James, had previously told the media that the coroner found water in his daughter’s lungs, and the earlier report said the animals had bitten her extensively after she died.
He had been on a trip along the east coast of Australia with another Canadian and was working on the island formerly known as Fraser Island when he died.
A popular spot for four-wheel driving and camping, almost half a million people visit K’gari’s pristine beaches and blue lakes each year.
After the attack, Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation representing traditional ownersHe said he had long pushed the Queensland government to limit the number of visitors and also tried to close the island for part of the year.
The government had signaled it would wait until after the autopsy before considering reviewing dingo management.
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