A 37-year-old man run over by one of Queensland's highest-ranking police officers in Cairns early Monday morning has been confirmed as Longreach father-of-two Ryan Savage.
Mr Savage was visiting the far north Queensland city when he was accidentally hit and killed by a car driven by Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor about 4.20am.
The Longreach butcher is believed to have been lying in the driveway of the Cairns police station as Mr Taylor arrived at work.
In the darkness, the police officer apparently did not see Mr Savage until it was too late.
He became trapped under the senior police officer's car and had to be extricated by firefighters.
Paramedics were not able to revive him. He died at the scene.
Mr Savage worked as a butcher in his family business BF Savage and Co Butchery in the outback town.
A worker at the business requested privacy for his family and friends as they come to grips with the tragedy.
Queensland Police Northern Region Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor was at the wheel of a car that ran over a man outside the Cairns police station.
"We're all doing it pretty tough," he said.
Mr Taylor, the Northern Region Assistant Commissioner, had been stood down by Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart pending an independent investigation, Mr Stewart said on Monday in the wake of the collision.
He said he expected the police veteran to apply for extended leave while the investigation took place.
The Queensland Police Ethical Standards Command is leading the probe and the state's independent corruption watchdog, the Crime and Corruption Commission has also been notified, as a matter of procedure.
Mr Stewart described the circumstances of Mr Savage's death as a dual tragedy.
"I can only imagine the challenges and the thoughts for Mr Taylor today and while this investigation is undertaken but this is a tragedy on so many levels because a male person 37 years of age has lost his life and it's our job to investigate that and to quite independently ensure that a rigorous investigation is undertaken," he said.
Mr Stewart said he had personally spoken to Mr Taylor on Monday morning to inquire after his welfare and he was "holding up pretty well".
He said standing him aside from his role was vital to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
This story first appeared on Brisbane Times.
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