‘He fought as hard as he could’: Man, 25, dies after becoming buried in sand on Bribie Island

Family of a man buried alive in sand on Queensland’s Bribie Island have paid tribute to the best “son, brother, boyfriend and mate” following a tragic update to his condition.

A man buried alive in sand on Queensland’s Bribie Island has died, with his family confirming his life support was turned off.

Josh Taylor, 25, was left fighting for life after falling into a hole on the popular tourist destination on Saturday afternoon, becoming buried under 1.5m of sand.

Close associates of Josh Taylor, 25, confirmed he had died after a freak accident where he was buried alive in a hole on Bribie Island, off the coast of Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Friends and family provided CPR until he was flown to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane by emergency services.

Mr Taylor’s family on Thursday confirmed he had passed away.

In a statement, they said Josh’s injuries were “too severe” to overcome and his life support was turned off.

“He fought as hard as he could and is the most courageous person we will ever know,” the family said in a statement.

“He was the best son, brother, boyfriend and mate we could all have wished for.

“We love you Josh and will miss you every minute of every day.

“Goodbye mate, until we see each other again.”

Football club Wests Old Boys paid tribute to him.

“With a heavy heart and the deepest sadness... Josh passed away peacefully today with his family by his side,” they wrote to their Facebook followers on Thursday.

Tributes have poured in for the young man since the tragic accident rocked the family.

Josh Taylor’s family confirmed his life support had been switched off on Thursday. Picture: Supplied

Mr Taylor was fighting for life in hospital for days after being flown from the island. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

Queensland Police have confirmed they are still investigating the circumstances around the incident and “believe there may be numerous people who were present and are yet to speak with police”.

“Officers are appealing to those people, as well as anyone who may have dash-camera footage from the northern end of Bribie Island on Saturday to come forward,” a spokesperson said.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Fifteen men were required to pull Mr Taylor free after he fell in the pit, dug to roast a pig, last weekend.

It was some 40 minutes before his pulse returned after emergency services and family members performed CPR.

Mr Taylor remained in a critical condition in hospital for days.

The Taylor family had only recently spoken of the “incredibly challenging journey” they faced in the hopes Josh would recover.

Josh’s uncle, Barry Taylor, said outside the hospital on Wednesday his nephew was “fighting hard” to stay alive.

An RACQ Lifeflight helicopter flying Mr Taylor to hospital from the island. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

“He’s still critical, he’s in ICU, and we’re awaiting the results of more tests,” Barry Taylor said earlier on Wednesday.

“He’s fighting hard mate, he’s really fighting hard, his heart’s still beating,

“We’re devastated — it’s really been hard for us to comprehend what’s happened to Josh.”

He described his nephew as a “vibrant” and “energetic” person who “loves the outdoors, fishing and camping”.

“We’re still able to see him now and we’re very grateful for their help,” Barry said.

In a GoFundMe, organiser Georgia Hoffman wrote: “The unimaginable has happened to their beloved son, Josh, a vibrant and adventurous soul who has brought so much joy to those around him.”

Queensland Paramedics and an RACQ Lifeflight rescue helicopter crew were called to help Mr Taylor after he fell into a hole and was buried in sand on Bribie Island, north of Brisbane. Picture: Supplied / Channel 9

It raised more than $60,000 for the family before Josh’s death.

Close associates and friends had rallied around Mr Taylor’s family following news of the tragedy.

Wests Brisbane Junior Rugby League Club earlier this week shared a message from the Taylor family with their members asking for prayers to help Josh “pull through”.

A friend had earlier said the sand underneath Mr Taylor had given underway when he stood on a chair above the pit on Saturday.

“He stumbled back. He’d put his arms out to obviously break the fall. He’s continued going down and knocked sand as he’s put his arms out,” the man said on Sunday.

Another man, Nathan, said he was alerted to the incident when a group of men ran over to his family calling for help.

Multiple people were needed to pull Mr Taylor from the pit of sand after he fell in head first. Picture: Supplied

When he arrived at the scene, Mr Taylor’s family and friends were desperately digging to get him out.

“I realised someone was head first in a hole and I was just digging, digging, digging,” he told NCA NewsWire earlier this week.

More than 15 people were digging in the sand to get Mr Taylor out before paramedics and rangers arrived.

“All of his family were screaming at us, telling us to help, telling us to get rope so we could pull him out. It was pretty gruesome,” Nathan said.

“There were like 15 men on the rope pulling and he did not budge.”

Detectives from Caboolture Criminal Investigation Branch are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Officers are appealing to anyone who hasn’t spoken to police to come forward, as well as anyone who may have dash-camera footage from the northern end of Bribie Island on Saturday to contact police.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

Originally published as ‘He fought as hard as he could’: Man, 25, dies after becoming buried in sand on Bribie Island