The tragic news of Piper James’ death on K’gari has sent shockwaves across social media, but it’s a separate incident involving another tourist that has ignited a storm of online criticism.
A British visitor’s video, filmed just days before the 19-year-old Canadian backpacker was found dead, has resurfaced, drawing accusations of recklessness and blatant disregard for safety rules.
British Tourist Ventures Alone at Dusk
Millie McCarthy, a UK tourist, uploaded a four-minute TikTok on January 13, showing herself wandering alone through the scrubland at dusk.
Clutching only a can of Smirnoff and a small Labubu camera purse, she openly debated whether to take a dingo safety pole—commonly called a “dingo stick”—but ultimately decided against it.
“This is quite scary because I’m about to leave the camp by myself,” she told the camera as she passed a large dingo-warning sign, clearly aware of the potential danger.
Moments later, she pushed through a gate emblazoned with a dingo illustration and the instruction: “Keep gate closed at all times.”
Ignoring Safety Rules Despite Warnings
Ms. McCarthy’s video captured her candid thoughts: “This feels very risky. I’ve not actually been outside the camp before… if a dingo comes up to me… I did not bring a dingo stick.”
She even considered running, despite repeated warnings that moving quickly could provoke the island’s wild dingoes.
“This could be risky because I have no idea how long this walk is… wish me luck,” she admitted.
“If I see a dingo I have no idea what I’ll do because I’m by myself… S***, I’m really scared now.”
A Risky Adventure Reaches the Beach
By the end of the clip, she reached the beach unharmed and reflected on her risky journey: “I’ve just run a bit.
I was actually really s****ing myself, but this is worth it, I fear… Apparently if a dingo sees you running they come after you. But this is worth it. I fear this is worth getting eaten by a dingo.”
Despite her apparent relief, viewers were quick to criticize her cavalier attitude.
The video, which has now gathered over 20,000 likes, sparked a flurry of comments highlighting the dangers of ignoring K’gari’s strict safety rules.
Public Backlash Intensifies
One social media user pointed out, “A girl was found dead there… because she went for a swim alone. There is a reason for these rules.”
Another wrote, “Watching this after someone has just died there and was found surrounded by dingoes… really makes you think.”
Responding to criticism, Ms. McCarthy insisted that breaking the rules was unintentional.
“I didn’t mean to,” she said, adding that while she did see dingoes, they were observed from the safety of her car.
Authorities Take Action
The backlash was compounded when Queensland authorities confirmed that at least six of the ten dingoes linked to Piper James’ death had been humanely euthanized.
Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie stressed the importance of respecting the island’s wildlife.
“K’gari is a wilderness area,” he said.
“Dingoes are wild animals. While they are culturally significant to the local First Nations people and residents, they still need to be treated with caution and respect.”
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