Coroner says dingoes attacked Piper James before she died on K’gari

A Canadian backpacker was attacked by dingoes before likely drowning off the coast of Queensland’s K’gari, a preliminary coroner’s report has revealed.

The report also concluded no one was involved in the death of Piper James, 19, who was found near the water at 75 Mile Beach surrounded by dingoes at 6.30am on Monday.

Piper’s father, Todd James, said earlier on Friday evening that autopsy results showed water in her lungs. The report also said the animals had bitten her extensively after she died.

Further testing was called for after an autopsy on Wednesday, but Mr James told Nine News his daughter’s body could now be taken back to Canada.

A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesperson confirmed that drowning was the likely cause of death, but that further tests had to be completed over the next few weeks.

“The coroner has completed a preliminary assessment and is now awaiting pathology results to further assist in determining the cause of death of Piper James. This process is expected to take several weeks,” the spokesperson said.

“The autopsy has found physical evidence consistent with drowning, and injuries consistent with dingo bites. Pre-mortem dingo bite marks are not likely to have caused immediate death. There are extensive post-mortem dingo bite marks.

“There is no evidence that any other person was involved.”

Police earlier confirmed that James’ body had been “interfered with by dingoes”, and they offered three potential causes of death: she drowned before dingoes came across her remains; the dingoes attacked her and killed her; or she was chased into the water by the animals and drowned.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli had said he would wait for James’ autopsy results before considering a review of dingo management, a potential dingo cull, or imposing stricter visitor caps on the island, though he ruled out a complete tourist ban.

The state government remained tight-lipped on Saturday about how they would respond to the preliminary findings, but said they had deployed a range of “management activities” to deter local dingoes from approaching people.

Rangers increased patrols across the island following the tragedy, which came just weeks after a warning of “heightened dingo activity” in the area where James died, with reports of wild dogs ripping tents, approaching campers, and stealing food and property.

That warning remains in place for the summer holiday period until January 31.

A camping area near where James was found remained closed on Saturday.

James had been on a trip down the east coast of Australia with another Canadian, and was working on the island when she died.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Todd James said he hoped his daughter had succumbed to the surf, considering the alternative.

“We know her body was messed with [by] dingoes. It’s one or the other,” he said on Friday local time.

“We’ve just got to wait, and it could be one to two months.”

He said he and wife Angela hoped to attend a smoking ceremony on K’gari, which they had been invited to by the Butchulla people, the island’s traditional custodians.

The Global Affairs Canada government department said officials were providing consular assistance to the family.

The backpacker’s death has sparked rampant debate over visitor safety on the island, with Hervey Bay Mayor George Seymour telling media that dingo behaviour in the area was changing.

“We’re seeing more attacks in different ways, like dingoes following people into the water and attacking them,” he said following James’ death.

Each year, almost half a million people visit the pristine beaches and blue lakes of K’gari, which is a hotspot for four-wheel-driving and camping.

The Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation, which represents traditional owners, said it had long been pushing the Queensland government to cap visitor numbers, as well as closing the island for parts of the year.

“If you’ve got a government that’s more interested in the tourism economy ... the island is going to suffer,” project officer Tessa Waia said.

With AAP

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