Port Douglas diver Jess McQueen killed in car accident at Exmouth, WA
A dream career move to swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef for a WA tour operator has turned to heartache for family and friends of a much-loved Port Douglas dive instructor.
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A dream career move to swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef for a WA tour operator has turned to heartache for family and friends of a much-loved Port Douglas dive instructor.
Jess McQueen left her life in Far North Queensland behind in late February to take up a position with Ningaloo Discovery Whale Shark Tours, but less than a week after arriving in Exmouth, Western Australia, tragedy struck.
On Monday night the 27-year-old crashed her Toyota Prado at Exmouth and was declared dead at the scene.
Tributes from fellow divers have fondly remembered the ocean lover who has worked in the marine tourism industry in Thailand, the Whitsundays and the Far North.
Blue Dive owner Mark Fraenkel said it was heartbreaking to lose someone so young, who had worked for him on and off since 2017.
“She was a real character, she was an unusual young woman, very dedicated and she was in love with nature,” he said.
“That’s why she went over to Exmouth to do the whale shark season and she loved new challenges, and the challenge of new things.
“It’s such a tragedy to lose someone at 27 when she had her whole life in front of her.
“She was a brilliant dive instructor and always got five star reviews, she was a credit to Port Douglas.”
Mr Fraenkel said Ms McQueen was very good at showing off the tourist town to guests from all over the world.
“All you have to do is look at the TripAdvisor reviews to get a flavour for how good she was,” he said.
Ningaloo Reef photographer Brooke Pyke was taken aback to hear of the car crash.
“It’s really a shock when someone so young passes so suddenly in a preventable accident,” she wrote on Instagram.
“A big reminder from the universe to treat every day like your last, hold on to the special moments in life.
“I always enjoyed days working together on the Great Barrier Reef.
“RIP Jess, the ocean will miss you.”
Originally from Western Australia, Ms McQueen, who began diving at the age of eight, left a job at Blue Dive Port Douglas to return to the west.
Days after arriving she excitedly posted videos of Ningaloo Reef marine life.
Videos of whale sharks and an octopus discovered in shallow water at the boat ramp featured on socials of the self confessed “ocean baby” just before her death.
In recognition of her passing, an informal gathering of friends and colleagues will celebrate Ms McQueen’s life at Rex Smeal Park on Thursday at 6pm.
“For everybody that had the privilege of knowing Jess, we would like to extend an invitation for a small get together to celebrate her life,” Jack Burge posted to social media.
“BYO drinks and anything festive to celebrate the large life that Jess lived.”
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Originally published as Port Douglas diver Jess McQueen killed in car accident at Exmouth, WA
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