September 26, 2008A falling palm tree has killed a four-year-old boy and left his father with head injuries in the far north Queensland tourist town of Port Douglas.
The boy and his father were walking along Owen Street when the tree fell and hit them about 2.30pm yesterday, police said.
The boy died at the scene.
"The child, who we believe was four years old, tragically died at the scene and the man has been transported to hospital suffering head injuries,'' Senior Sergeant Geoff Coote said.
"We are currently investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.''
A police spokeswoman said the weather in the town was "extremely windy'' at the time, and the tree was near a footpath.
Cairns Regional Council will today send out experts to examine reamining palms, however local mayor Val Shiers said the offending tree had not been under the maintenance of regional authorities.
"Council arborists will go up to look at other palm trees in that area, but it's actually come from private property," Cr Shiers told 4BC radio.
"Council will do anything we can in terms of the prevention anything like this happening in the future, but our heartfelt condolences go out to the family."
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