Prince Regent National Park: Cruise passenger dies after fall at Kimberley tourist location

A 68-year-old tourist has died after he was critically injured in a fall in Prince Regent National Park in the Kimberley. The man, who was a passenger on a True North cruise through the national park, suffered severe head injuries as a result of the fall at about 4.20pm on Thursday. He was airlifted to Koolan Island where Royal Flying Doctor Service crews met him and provided treatment. He died shortly after. In a statement, tour operator True North said the man lost his footing while descending a one-metre rocky decline and fell heavily. “Crew and a doctor travelling with the group provided immediate first aid,” the spokesperson said. “The guest was flown off-ship in a helicopter and taken to Koolan Island where he was transferred to an RFDS flight but unfortunately the guest succumbed to his injury. “True North is providing family and crew with support and assistance.” An RFDS spokesperson said they were not involved in the airlifting of the patient from Prince Regent to Koolan Island. “RFDS crews met with the patient at Koolan Island to provide treatment but unfortunately the patient passed away,” the spokesperson said. The Prince Regent is one of WA’s straightest rivers, flowing through a fault line known as the Prince Regent lineament. From its source in the Caroline Range in the south east, the river runs for 106 kilometres, often between near-vertical 50-metre-high cliffs. The remote location, described as a “bucket-list dream destination”, cannot be accessed by road - only by boat or plane. A WA Police spokesperson said police will prepare a report for the Coroner.