News Headlines for Mackay & the Whitsundays, 9th November 2017

LOCAL NEWS

A helicopter carrying four passengers was forced to make an emergency landing off Hayman Island yesterday afternoon. The aircraft managed to land upright on the water using floats. And a passenger vessel arrived at the site just before 4.30 to bring the joy-riders safely back to land.

A crash on the Peak Downs Highway at Coppabella last night saw one male in his 20's transported to hospital. A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson says he crashed his car into a guard rail just before 9pm- when paramedics arrived he had bumps and bruises and ringing in his ears.

Diabetes Queensland is putting pressure on the political parties to roll out mandatory diabetes testing in Mackay emergency rooms. They’re wanting it made a commitment with more than 3000 people in the region with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. The testing will just see another test done on blood that is taken when people present at E-D's. Diabetes Queensland C-E-O Michelle Trute says this could have huge benefits for the health sector

The late Michael Jackson's daughter- Paris- has jet stetted to six star resort Qualia on Hamilton Island after her attendance in Melbourne for the Cup caused some controversy.

LOCAL SPORT

Mackay will become the first regional city in the state  to host a Rebel Women’s Big Bash League round. It comes after Harrup Park has confirmed it will turn on its lights for two T20 matches in January 2018. The Heat will take on the Melbourne Stars  on January 12 and 13. Cricket Australia Kate Davies says the Council have really pushed for this.

 A 50 Metre10-lane heated competition pool and a synthetic athletics track with field events and internal sports field is going ahead in Mackay now that a tender has been awarded to Paynter Dixon Queensland.

WEATHER

MACKAY: Partly cloudy. Medium (50%) chance of showers, most likely in the early morning. Winds southeasterly 30 to 40 km/h.

WHITSUNDAYS: Partly cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of a shower in the morning. Winds east to southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 22 with daytime temperatures reaching around 30.

ON THE WATERS:  Southeasterly 20 to 30 knots. Seas 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell East to southeasterly around 1 metre offshore.