A man has been charged with murder following a death at a remote Western Australian roadhouse.
Emergency services were called to Salmon Gums Roadhouse, halfway between Esperance and Norseman in the state’s south east, at 12:30am on Friday to help a 51-year-old man who was seriously injured.
Police and St John Ambulance staff attended the incident but the man could not be revived and he died at the scene.
Homicide detectives then took a 27-year-old man, who is known to the victim, into custody.
He has today been charged with murder.
A police spokesperson said the man had been refused bail and was due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court, via video link, on Sunday.
Police are investigating the death of a Salmon Gums man. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
‘A horrible, terrible tragedy’
Salmon Gums, which is about 100 kilometres north of Esperance and south of Norseman, is home to about 150 people.
It is loved by travellers for its namesake trees, historic buildings and fondness for country quirk.
But instead of pulling into its roadhouse today, visitors took a confused look and kept driving.
Salmon Gums is about 100 kilometres north of Esperance. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
Police tape was strung between the petrol bowsers and officers walked about in blue forensic suits.
Sam Starcevich, a local farmer and long-time resident, said the man who died was relatively new to the area but was a valued community member.
Salmon Gums resident Sam Starcevich said her thoughts were with the deceased man’s loved ones. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
“He was settling in,” she said.
“He was great for a chat when you went into the roadhouse.
“Our thoughts and our feelings are with his family.”
The roadhouse is on the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway. (ABC Esperance: Emily Smith)
Ms Starcevich urged community members to seek help if they needed it and to respect the police investigation.
“It’s a horrible, terrible tragedy that has happened,” she said.
“It does affect you. It’s sad. It’s a tragic event.”
