Hundreds gather in Mossman for shark attack victim Daniel Smith’s funeral

A MOTHER’S grief punctuates funeral as hundreds mourn the death of shark attack victim, Daniel Smith.

Smith Funeral

AS heart-broken mum Trish Smith rested her head on her youngest son’s coffin yesterday, she wept bitterly.

She and about 500 people yesterday celebrated the life of shark attack victim Daniel Smith at Mossman State High School’s indoor sports centre.

Wiping away tears, friends and family wearing brightly coloured clothing scattered rose petals into the hearse.

The 18-year-old was bitten on his right leg and arm while spearfishing with friends at Rudder Reef, east of Cape Tribulation, last Monday.

Daniel recently graduated from high school and was well-known and loved, his shock death shattering the tight-knit community.

Daniel’s older brother Nathan, cousin Natalie, girlfriend Taylor Killeen and step-dad Greg Trethowan, delivered his eulogy, their voices cracking as grief overwhelmed them.

“Even though you were my younger brother, I looked up to you,” Nathan said.

“You gave me confidence to be myself and would light up the room when you walked in.

“I will always keep thinking about you mate, there won’t be a day I don’t.”

Natalie shared amusing tales from fishing trips and shotgun lessons as she remembered her “lovable, entertaining” cousin.

“It wasn’t meant to end like this,” she said.

“You were supposed to have your own ratbag kids to cause as much trouble as you did for your parents.”

Taylor spoke of a sweet, affectionate boy who would do anything to make her happy before Greg took the lectern.

“He was a ratbag kid but I loved that about him,” he said afterwards.

“He reminded me of me I think, I was a bit of a ratbag too. But he was a good kid. I miss him, I miss him badly.”

A photo slideshow produced more tears as well as laughter.

Guests then formed a guard of honour for Daniel’s friends carrying his coffin, which depicted a beach scene and was inscribed with messages, as Forever Young by Youth Group played.

Outside, his treasured possessions, including fins, motorbike boots and helmet, and board shorts, were laid on his blue Toyota Corolla.

Mum Trish hopes Daniel’s death will serve as a lesson for his friends and other spearfishers.. She thanked the community for their support.

“If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t have had such a beautiful funeral,” she said.

“Daniel lived life in the fast lane between his spearfishing and motorbike riding but he died doing what he loved.”