A NSW man has been arrested after allegedly crashing a buggy on a popular Queensland resort island while drunk, prompting police to plead with the public not to put extra pressure on emergency services during tropical cyclone preparations.
The 37-year-old Grasmere man crashed and flipped his buggy on One Tree Hill, Hamilton Island, about 10.30pm Wednesday.
Police who had been deployed to the island to assist with Tropical Cyclone Kirrily preparations administered first aid to the man, who sustained minor leg injuries
Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>
The man allegedly provided a positive breath test, and was taken to Hamilton Island police station, where additional testing allegedly showed the man to be three times over the legal alcohol limit.
He was charged with driving under the influence of liquor and is due to appear at Proserpine Magistrates Court on February 19.
Police said they were “urging the public not to behave in a reckless way that could add pressure on our service to the community during this severe weather event”.
Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is predicted to cross the coast on Thursday evening as a category two cyclone, between Ingham and Bowen, bringing destructive winds and torrential rain.