Gone, but not forgotten: Tragic deaths that shook the Gympie region in 2022
From a desperate month-long search in a forest for a 22-year-old man, to a young girl who was swept away in one of three flood events, these are the deaths that will remain in the memories of the Gympie community for years to come.
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From flood fatalities to car crashes and even aircraft collisions, many horrific incidents left the Gympie region community mourning for the friends and family members they lost in 2022.
Tributes flowed from loved ones honouring the memories of those who lost their lives on the road, in floodwaters and other tragic accidents.
Here we pay tribute to 17 lives who were lost in 2022 that touched the Gympie community:
Thomas Killen
“Genuine country gentleman” Thomas Killen’s untimely death in November is one that rocked the Gympie community to its core.
The well-respected 95-year-old fell from his tractor and into a dam after becoming bogged and suffering a medical incident while he working on his Carters Ridge property on November 6.
Neighbour Dave Grey raised the alarm two days later when he realised he had not heard from his friend.
Amazingly Mr Killen was still alive, though suffering from hypothermia and dehydration, but sadly he later died in the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Brody Smith
Fraser Coast Anglican College sporting and house captain Brody Smith’s tragic death in a horror crash in the Tuan State Forest shattered his classmates and the community as a whole.
The much-loved 18-year-old was travelling to Tin Can Bay for a long weekend with mates in the final days of the September school holidays when tragedy struck.
Brody’s aunt, Leesa Smith, was one of many who paid tribute to her beloved nephew on social media.
“I know wherever you are that you’re flying high beautiful Brodes - all 6 foot fabulous 6 of you…I’ll remain strong until we meet again on the flip side,” she posted.
Kathleen Dennis
Beloved Brooloo mum Kathleen Dennis was just 56 when she was tragically killed in an accident on Kandanga Imbil Rd in late September.
Her untimely passing prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from the local community, who remembered her as an “amazing woman” who was “fun, loving, inspiring and super talented”.
“Kathleen will be dearly missed as you become an angel in our skies last night,” one post said.
“You taught the true meaning of community strength and spirit with your commitment to community … and the love and generosity to all that knew you.”
Tarci Carey
When 22-year-old Tarci Carey went missing in August, community members and his family and friends dedicated countless hours to searching for him until his body was discovered in the Imbil State Forest in September.
The Nambour nursery worker was described by his friends as “nothing but beautiful” and “the most welcoming, selfless and encouraging person you could possibly come across”.
Gus Sullivan
Described by friends as a “beautiful man” and an “absolute legend”, Kybong man Gus Sullivan suffered critical injuries after crashing his motorcycle on the Bruce Highway at Chatsworth in August.
Sadly he succumbed to these injuries and died in hospital 10 days later, with one friend posting that the 61-year-old had “tried so hard, but his injuries were just too bad.”
An outpouring of emotion and tributes from friends and family then followed, with one writing “R. I. P old mate, you will be missed riding with angels now”.
Christian Kath
Described an an energetic man who “touched a lot of people”, former Gympie man Christian Kath, his wife Misty and their eldest daughter Lily were all tragically killed in a plane crash off the coast of Venice in early December.
Christian’s father Chris Kath, who still lives in Dagun, said his son had left a lasting legacy.
Christopher Turner
The South East Queensland flying community was left in shock after the tragic death of two pilots, including veteran pilot and instructor Christopher “Bob” Turner”, in a mid-air collision near Gympie in November.
A spokesman for the Caboolture Gliding Club, where Bob was a founding member, said the club was “deeply shocked” by the tragedy.
“He was just another true gentleman,” one friend said.
Barry Irvine
Barry Irvine, a 77-year-old from Glenwood, was tragically killed along with Bob Turner when their aircrafts collided in the air and crashed into a paddock.
Many took to social media to mourn Barry’s loss, and remember him as a kind and quiet man.
“Rest in the clouds on the wings of the angels,” one friend wrote, while another said “Barry’s going to miss his guitar playing around the fire”.
Brett Anthony Gregory
Much-loved Maryborough father Brett Anthony Gregory was sadly killed in a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway near Gympie in May.
He was described as a “crazy uncle” and a “friend to many”.
Phil Sugg
Dedicated father of three Phil Sugg was trying to make it home from work on a Friday night in February. Tragically he did not make it after his car was swept away in flood waters at Goomboorian.
News of his untimely death prompted an outpouring of grief on social media pages, with the community rallying to raise more than $20,000 for his fiance and children.
“I cannot thank people enough for the love and support that is given in this time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” his fiance, Klarissa Wilkinson, said.
Krystal Cain
The last words 14-year-old Krystal Cain heard her father Lenny say were “hang onto me, and we’ll hang onto this branch”.
Sadly she was swept away in violent flood waters seconds later, still desperately trying to cling to the broken branch.
Lenny and Krystal had become stranded on a bridge on Murgon Gayndah Rd after striking a pothole, and were completely unaware of a violent torrent of water that was headed their way following heavy rain across other areas of the Wide Bay.
“I kept promising her all the way through that we would be okay and someone would rescue us, and it didn’t happen,” her devastated father told the Gympie Times.
“I would gladly swap my safety for hers.”
Phil McGowan
Described as a “wonderful” man who “left an everlasting impression on... everyone he came across”, celebrated and well-known building designer Phil McGowan was killed in an accident on his Chatsworth property in June.
His heartbroken son Jake McGowan said in a social media post that his father’s proudest achievement was being a parent.
“He made it so abundantly clear through his relentless, unconditional love for us over the years,” he said.
“I loved him dearly … His open mind and ability to love was inspiring, he so passionately shared my views of nature and our souls lit up when hiking/fishing together.”
Barbara Stone
Tributes flowed for 86-year-old Araluen woman Barbara Stone who tragically passed away in hospital in July after a crash near Gympie in late June.
Gympie West Store employee Vicki Polley said Ms Stone was a regular customer at her work, and would often stop for a chat while buying the paper each week.
“Barbara was just a beautiful, loving, kind lady and loved having a chat. (She) always left making you feel positive (sic),” she said.
Cody Bergemann
Beloved Glenwood teen Cody Bergemann’s life was cut short following a terrible accident at Glenwood.
Cody’s mum, Katherine Bergemann described her son as a “cheeky” aspiring builder, who “loved life”.
But above all, he loved his friends.
“He always looked after his mates,” she said.
“He made sure they were all safe. He was their rock.
Jessica and Giselle Greig
Mother and daughter Jessica and Giselle Greig were remembered as “an amazing mother and an amazing friend” following a heartbreaking car accident near Toowoomba in early July.
It was standing room only at Victory College’s church as more than 200 of the Greig’s family and friends packed the auditorium with countless more watching on a live-stream.
Giselle’s school friends who attended the funeral delivered their own tribute in a five minute video filled with footage of them having fun together.
“We’re so sad to see her go”, “we’re going to miss her a lot” and “the most beautiful girl I have ever met in my whole entire life” were among the tear-filled tributes.
Kyan Pennell
The Australian musical community answered the call and brought to life a haunting composition which had been penned by Tuchekoi youngster Kyan Pennell following his death at the tender age of 12.
Kyan died in January following a tragic accident on his parent’s Mary Valley property.
After his death his heartbroken mother Amanda Brierley discovered the classical piano piece Kyan had been working on after he had taken up the piano seven months prior to his death.
Amanda put the call out for musicians to help bring Kyan’s work to life and countless people responded.
Domenico “Mick” Dipasquasio
“A beautiful soul gone too early” is how 51-year-old Domenico “Mick” Dipasquasio was remembered after he tragically died at the scene of an accident on Glastonbury Road in June.
Mr Dipasquasio was described by his nephew Billy Wilson as a “beautiful, perfect” uncle, brother and son.
““We are all absolutely devastated,” he said.
“He was taken from us way too early and we will struggle and miss him every single day for the rest of our time.”
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