Hero firefighter slips and falls to his death during an early morning fitness walk in front of his horrified friends and family
- Firefighter Brant Jones fell to his death at Behana Gorge, Cairns, on Sunday
- Emergency services pulled him from the water but he was unable to be revived
- His devastated family said he touched the lives of everyone he met
A hero firefighter slipped and fell to his death during an early morning fitness walk.
Brant Jones, 58, was walking along Behana Gorge, south of Cairns, when he slipped and fell into the water at 7.30am on Sunday.
Emergency services managed to pull Mr Jones from the water but he could not be revived.
It is believed he hit his head on the way down.
Mr Jones’ daughter Stacey told Daily Mail Australia her father touched the lives of everyone he met.
Brant Jones, 58, was walking along Behana Gorge, outside of Cairns, when he slipped and fell into the water at 7.30am on Sunday
Emergency services were called but Mr Jones could not be revived
‘He was an adventurous, energetic, and positive man that people gravitated to,’ she said.
‘The memories he has given his friends and family will live on for a very long time.
‘He died doing what he loved so that is the small reassurance we can take in at this time.’
She said he went hiking every Sunday with his family and friends, and that he had been based in Cairns at the time.
Tablelands Patrol Group Inspector Russell Rhodes told The Cairns Post ‘Jonesy’ kept himself healthy and ‘was a really good person’.
Mr Jones joined Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in 1995.
Mr Jones’ daughter Stacey told Daily Mail Australia her father touched the lives of everyone he met
Cairns Country Patrol Group Inspector Rhys Newton said the terrain and lack of phone service made it a difficult to call for help – forcing his group to leave to run back to the car park to call emergency services.
Councillor Brett Moller, from Cairns Regional Council, told Daily Mail Australia his thoughts are with the Jones family.
Mr Jones joined Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in 1995
Mr Moller said he has called for an education program regarding the dangers involved in walking in the local area.
‘You can enjoy [the spot] but you need to be aware of your surroundings and the possible danger. That being said, horrible accidents do happen,’ Mr Moller said.
He said the area is getting many more visitors and tourists who need to be aware of the risk.
Inspector Robert Herbohn told Seven News the rescue mission was a hard one.
‘Body retrievals are difficult for the rescuers and any on-lookers. It is a traumatic time for everybody involved,’ he said.
Cairns Country Patrol Group Inspector Rhys Newton said it is believed Mr Jones hit his head on the way down. Emergency crews pictured on Sunday
The gorge has been closed until further notice.
Mr Jones is not the first person to die at the spot. An Iranian tourist drowned there in 2016.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia a report is being prepared for the coroner.