Wieambilla is about 230 kilometres - about 2½ hours’ drive - north-west of Talwood.
The farmer told the ABC Train tried to “ram through the border gates” in a black Toyota Landcruiser and when that failed,“used an angle grinder to cut through the padlock”.
Accused police murderer Nathaniel Train allegedly broke through COVID-19 enforced border gates on the Boonangar Bridge over the Macintyre River in December 2021,the ABC reported.Credit:Google Maps
Train is reported by the ABC to have been dressed in camouflage gear and allegedly dumped rifles into a nearby creek close.
The farmer told the ABC local police came to retrieve the rifles.
“He said that among the items Train had ditched in the creek were at least three firearms – short scrub sort of weapons and ammunition,” the ABC reported.
Queensland Police said the Ethical Standards Command was leading an investigation into the shooting at Wieambilla on December 12.
“This is a complex and thorough coronial investigation overviewed by the Crime and Corruption Commission and will be reported to the State Coroner,” a police statement read.
“While the matter is currently being investigated,and respecting the sensitivities of the families involved,it would be inappropriate for the QPS to provide further comment at this time.”
The ABC report said documents found near the vehicle included some that identified the man as Nathaniel Train and outlined his work history at a NSW school.
A map shows that the location of the Boonangar Bridge over the Macintyre River,south-west of Goondiwindi,and Wieambilla,where the mass shooting of six people took place on December 12,are about 230 kilometres apart.Credit:Google Maps
Brisbane Times has been unable to independently corroborate the report with police,or the Talwood farmer,whose telephone went repeatedly unanswered on Sunday.
However,Talwood businessman John Moriandi,who operates the general store,said he was aware of the talk.
“I had heard similar stories as to what the ABC has reported,” Moriandi said.
The businessman said he had heard that Train had “flooded his vehicle,and his brother or someone had come and got him”.
“But,really I just don’t know because I wasn’t there. But that is what people are saying.”
Springborg earlier on Sunday said the border gate at the Boonangar Bridge over the Macintyre River was among several Queensland-NSW border crossings that were frequently “driven through”,or “where the padlocks were cut” in December 2021.
“It wasn’t uncommon,” Springborg said.
He said several border crossings had cameras and identifying factors for vehicles - including number plate details - and the council gave all information to police.
Meanwhile,two men from Tara,a 25-year-old and a 23-year-old,were on Sunday charged with looting and trespassing after allegedly trying to steal two motorbikes from the Trains’ property in Wieambilla.
They also face charges of supplying cannabis,unrelated to alleged motorbike thefts.