“Died doing what he loved:” Tributes flow for Gatton man Gavin Krenske

Well known Lockyer Valley man ‘Scrub’ was fishing with his son when disaster struck at the Gold Coast. Family and friends are struggling to come to terms with their heartbreaking loss.

Family, friends, and a tight-knit community are in shock following the tragic death of a well-known Lockyer Valley man who was fishing with his son at the Gold Coast when disaster struck.

Onlookers at a GC beach as multiple search and rescue teams search for missing Gatton man Gavin Krenske.

Gatton man Gavin James Krenske, known affectionately as Scrub, was yabbying with his son at Wave Break Island when he went missing attempting to retrieve the pair’s boat which had come loose and began to drift out to sea.

A sister of Mr Krenske said the family was struggling to come to terms with their heartbreaking loss.

“He will be missed by all… he was one well known man throughout the Lockyer Valley, just ask anyone,” she said.

“He will be one of few who died doing what he loved - fishing.”

Queensland Police searching for Gavin Krenske who went missing off Wave Break Island on the Gold Coast on Friday morning.

A Queensland Police spokesman said it was in the early hours of Friday morning, January 21, when Mr Krenske swam after his boat on the west side off Wave Break Island.

“The 52-year-old Gatton man swam out in the rough conditions in an attempt to retrieve the boat but failed to return to shore,” he said.

“Police were notified around 6.30am and launched a full-scale air, land, and sea search.

“ (He) was located by police divers around 9.20am (at Main Beach).”

People watch on during the search for Mr Krenskewho went missing while swimming off Wave Break Island on Friday morning.

According to reporters a Surf Lifesaving Queensland (SLSQ) spokesman said it had been Mr Krenske’s son who called triple-0 after his father failed to come up for air.

“Unfortunately the son has seen the father disappear and not come back up… (he then) had to call triple-0 and no-one wants to be doing that,” he said.

SLSQ Gold Coast co-ordinator Nathan Fife said it had been a very sad and tragic day for everyone and praised the search and rescue teams for doing their best.