Middle School staff member feared drowned

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p2383-ellery-bigholeA 48-year-old male staff member of the Alice Springs Middle School appears to have drowned at the Ellery Bighole in the West MacDonnell ranges today.
 
He was there with a school excursion.
 
Police say witnesses saw him going under water, coming back up and complaining about a cramp, and then going under again and not resurfacing.
 
Police say if the man drowned police divers may be called in to retrieve the body.
 
A spokesman for the Education Department says the incident “touches everyone at Centralian Middle School and the entire Alice Springs community.
 
“Centralian Middle School has additional school counsellors on site and a psychologist for the remainder of the school term to provide emotional support and assistance to all our students.
 
“All staff will also be provided with access to counselling and support services.”
 
UPDATE 8pm, December 14:
 
At 4.20pm this afternoon, the body of a 48-year-old man who went missing yesterday at Ellery Creek Big Hole was recovered from the water.
 
His next of kin have been notified.
 
Ellery Creek Big Hole will remain closed until further notice.
 

– Police report

 
 
 

4 COMMENTS

  1. Such a sad loss to the Alice Springs Music Community. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him play classical and folk music.

  2. Just talking to Paul on Sunday and now he’s gone.
    He navigated Central Australian schools with a smile and quick wit.
    We will miss him.

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