Melbourne Storm fans rally around Billy Slater after family rocked by tragedy

The Melbourne Storm and its fans are ralling around club legend Billy Slater after news of a horrible family tragedy emerged.

NRL legend Cameron Smith has shared details of the heartbreaking phone call he had with Billy Slater after his teammate’s family tragedy.

The Mackay region has been left devastated after it emerged on Tuesday that Slater’s brother-in-law Ryan Craig drowned while saving his daughter’s life when she fell from their boat in Queensland last weekend.

Craig, the husband of Slater’s older sister Sheena, died in Kinchant Dam near Mackay on Saturday.

The nine-year-old girl was pulled safely from the water but Craig’s body was not found until Monday morning.

Police say the girl was pulled from the water by a person on a passing jet ski. The mother and three other children all safely made it to shore.

Craig, 40, was a father of four children with wife Sheena.

Smith on Wednesday said his former Melbourne Storm teammate shared with him that it was an “absolute tragic” situation.

Smith and co-host Denan Kemp, started their show, The Captain’s Run with Cameron Smith and Denan Kemp, by sending their condolences to Slater and his family.

“Really, really sad story,” Smith said.

Loving husband and father of four Ryan Craig passed away on Saturday March 9 after saving his daughter from drowning.

Billy Slater’s brother-in-law has died. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“I found out Monday morning about this absolute tragedy. It happened Saturday afternoon up in the Mackay area where Billy’s sister Sheena and her family live.

“They were just out on the water. They live very close to the dam where Ryan tragically passed away. And it’s their regular place where they just go for family outings.

“I rang Billy and spoke with him and he just said, ‘Look, it’s an absolutely tragic (set of) circumstances, given the situation’.

“It’s somewhere they spend a lot of time with the kids growing up. They’ve got four kids. They’ve got four little girls. They were out on the water and just a sequence of events really led to Ryan and his eldest daughter falling in the water and unfortunately, a bit of weather blew up and it blew the boat away from where they’d fallen in the water and the boat couldn’t be started.

“It was a heroic effort, really from Ryan to stay a float as long as he did to save his daughter.

“He eventually ran out of energy. Some jet skiers came along a little bit later and I don’t know how — it’s just a miracle — that the little girl was still afloat.

“Ryan went under and subsequently passed away. Really tragic events and we send our condolences out to Sheena, who is Billy’s sister, and the wife of Ryan. Those four little girls that have lost their dad.”

Queensland Police has not released the full circumstances surrounding his death but Seven News reports Craig and his daughter were thrown overboard around 11am on Saturday.

She was rescued half an hour later in the water, but efforts to find Craig were unsuccessful. His body was recovered at around 7am on Monday.

Ryan Craig's final actions saved the life of his 9 year old daughter.

Queensland Police Inspector Glenn Cameron said “preliminary information” suggests “the actions of the man who is now deceased saved his young daughter’s life”.

He said the Craig family is “devastated”.

“We do implore people to be as safe as possible on the water,” Cameron said.

“Enjoy the environment, but do it in a safe way.

“Our thoughts are with the family who’ve lost a loved one in these tragic circumstances.

“We never want to see something like this happen.”

Water and police divers searched the area before Craig’s body was found on Monday morning following a “significant” search and rescue operation.

The Craig family are from North Eton in Mackay. Queensland police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Fans rally around Slater

Fans have been rallying around Billy Slater in the days since news of his brother-in-law emerged.

The Melbourne Storm responded to the tragedy with a post on X on Wednesday afternoon which read: “Melbourne Storm sends their deepest condolences to Billy and the entire Slater Family through this difficult time.

“The entire Purple Army stands by your side, always.”

Melbourne Storm sends their deepest condolences to Billy and the entire Slater Family through this difficult time.

The entire Purple Army stands by your side, always. 💜

— Melbourne Storm (@storm) March 13, 2024

In responses to the post Storm fans sent their condolences to the family with many shocked to find out what had happened.

One Storm fan wrote: “Thoughts and prayers to Billy and the whole extended Slater family at this very sorrowful time - Bless!!”

Another wrote: “Thoughts with the Slater family at this toughest of times.”

“I send my condolences to the Slater family, and I hope they are doing OK during this difficult time. I’m thinking of you,” wrote a third.

Meanwhile tributes for Mr Craig have flooded social media in recent days, with many reminiscing of happy times with the devoted family man.

Fans are throwing their support behind Slater. Picture: Erick Lucero QRL

“Man had some good times and laughs out at the bay,” Dean Tass wrote on social media. “Those chats that started off serious but ended up in tears of laughter because we went off topic. My heart is sore for you and your whole family mate.”

Another friend, Mr Bozier wrote: “Absolutely devastating news. Heart goes out to your wife and daughters mate I know you’ll be watching over them.”

Slater grew up in Innisfail, around 90km south of Cairns in Queensland.

Slater won two premierships with the Melbourne Storm and has successfully transitioned into coaching, leading the Queensland Maroons to consecutive State of Origin series wins in the past two years.

He played 31 games for the Maroons and 30 matches for Australia.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm fans rally around Billy Slater after family rocked by tragedy