Family of Damien Little toast memory of two little boys and their father gone too soon

A MEMORIAL to a Port Lincoln father and his two young sons has been moved from the water’s edge after the family expressed safety concerns.

• ‘We saw him spiral into a dark space’
• Father drove sons off Port Lincoln wharf in murder-suicide

A MEMORIAL to a Port Lincoln father and his two young sons has been moved from the water’s edge after the family expressed safety concerns.

The growing floral tribute to Damien Little, 34, and sons Koda, 4, and Hunter, 10 months, had been established on the edge of Brennan’s Wharf, where Damien drove his car with the children inside into the depths of Boston Bay on Monday morning.

Port Lincoln mayor Bruce Green confirmed Flinders Ports workers helped move the memorial to the entrance of the wharf on Thursday morning.

“Family expressed concerns of safety on the location and ... after speaking with the family Flinders Ports identified this site which was central to the incident,” he said.

“It’s important for the community to have some place to show their emotions.

“Even four days after people are wanting to come here and show their respect.”

Shrine for Pt Lincoln father and 2 sons has been moved with 2 photos added pic.twitter.com/tGKl828nad

— Josephine Lim (@johzlim) January 6, 2016

Mr Green said the original site for the memorial at the loading deck was too close to the water’s edge and no longer safe for the “high levels of activity around it”.

On Wednesday, the family of Damien raised a toast in memory of two little boys and their father gone too soon as they stood arm in arm and filled with emotion in the wharf.

Tributes for young Koda, Hunter, and Damien have continued to mount as their grieving families thanked the community for its support.

Several mourners, including family members, again visited the growing shrine on the town’s main wharf as Damien and Melissa Little’s parents issued a joint statement.

“In relation to our recent family tragedy, we would like to thank the SA Police Force, emergency and diving services and our local community as a whole on your care and support over the past two days,” the statement, from Ken and Sue Little and Dale and Debby Goldsworthy, read.

The families also said they felt media coverage of the tragedy had been sympathetic and supportive but requested time to grieve in private.

Damien Little’s brothers with their partners, and Mr and Mrs Goldsworthy, were among mourners who visited the memorial at Brennan’s Wharf on Wednesday to pay tribute to Koda, Hunter and Damien.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED: Family and friends of Damien Little raise a toast to the young father and the couple’s lost boys at the scene of the tragedy yesterday. Picture: DEAN MARTIN

Hunter and Koda’s uncles, and Damien’s brothers, are comforted by family at the scene. Picture: Dean Martin

Koda Little, 4, and his brother Hunter Little, 10 months. Picture supplied by family.

They died when Little drove his white Ford station wagon off Brennan’s Wharf and into the depths of Boston Bay about 6am on Monday.

Little’s brothers left flowers and a blue teddy bear and raised a toast, with Johnnie Walker and cola, to the sea that ended the lives of their brother and little nephews. In tears and embracing, they also read the messages of love and support.

Mr and Mrs Goldsworthy also visited the memorial on Wednesday and took some items from the scene to show family.

Melissa, 30, has been too distressed to visit the shrine to her sons and husband. Little’s uncle, Kenneth Hill, choked back tears as he visited the memorial.

“Thank you to everybody that’s supported us (and) been there for us . . . it’s such a tragedy,” he said.

A bunch of flowers he laid on the memorial had a note reading: “Rest in peace Damien, Koda and Hunter. Love from your uncle Kenneth Hill.”

Melissa Little’s elderly parents visit the memorial on the Port Lincoln wharf. Picture: Dean Martin

POIGNANT: Damien Little, Koda, 4, Melissa and baby Hunter enjoy a day at the beach in a photo released by the family.

The families’ statement came 24 hours after the Little family released two poignant family photographs showing a happy Damien and Melissa with Koda and Hunter on a local beach.

Items laid on the wharf are expected to be moved in the coming days, possibly to the nearby Fisherman’s Monument that stands in memory of those lost at sea.

Port Lincoln Mayor Bruce Green said there had been talks about moving the shrine to a safer location.

“From my understanding, the family was worried about safety issues with (it) being so close to the water and kids around.”

The decision was being driven by family and community, but there was no talk of when the shrine would be moved.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, contact one of the following for help: LIFELINE 13 11 14; BEYONDBLUE 1300 22 46 36, or THE SALVO CARE LINE 1300 36 36 22