Gympie floods: Family clinging to hope as search for missing teen Krystal Cain continues

The family of a much-loved 14-year-old who was swept away by floodwaters during Friday night’s torrential rain are holding on to the hope she will be found alive as the desperate search for her continues.

The family of much loved Krystal Cain hold hope the 14-year-old will be found alive, after she was swept away by floodwaters near Gympie.

Krystal‘s family said the “bright soul with the world at her fingertips,” was swept away in a torrent of water while travelling to Agnes Water to see her grandparents on Saturday, after ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth unleashed an extraordinary final blast and delivered more rain than even the first 24 hours of the infamous Cyclone Yasi.

Krystal was swept into flood waters near the Burnett Highway and Murgon Gayndah Roads at Booubyjan, near Gympie, after the teen and her dad managed to escape from inside a car moments before it got taken by water.

Police located Krystal’s dad clinging to a tree on Saturday, while Krystal has not yet been found, despite the best efforts of rescuers.

Krystal’s uncle Stephen Cain said his niece is a “loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend.”

Krystal with her aunt at Christmas time. Picture: GoFundMe

He said she also has “an incredible talent to sketch all things amima.”

“Krystal is still missing and we hold hope that she is still alive somewhere,” Mr Cain said on a GoFundMe page setup to help the family.

“I have set this page up, on the families behalf to try and alleviate some of the burden on them at this difficult time.”

Mr Cain said any money raised will go towards the search efforts for Krystal.

His wife Aundreau Cain told The Courier-Mail the family was devastated and their hearts were broken.

“We are supporting each other through this tragic time and have not given up hope that somewhere, somehow, she is safe and waiting to be rescued,” Ms Cain said.

Police reinforcements have been called in to help search for Krystal, as Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said police have grave concerns for the missing teen, however remain hopeful.

“This is going to take some time, we are taking this extremely seriously,” he said.

“While we have grave concerns, we are hopeful.”

Specialist police divers and water police have also been tasked to the area.

Queensland Police Service Wide Bay Burnett Superintendent Michael Sawrey said the search to locate Krystal had been extremely difficult, however crews were doing their best to locate her.

“We do have searchers out there and a search being co-ordinated,” Supt Sawry said.

“We have water police and police divers, we have volunteers out there, and police and SES co-ordinating searches for her.

“We‘re putting in whatever effort we can to try locate that young girl. It’s an extremely challenging area to get in and out of but we did get searchers in there yesterday. It is an extremely difficult area surrounded by water.”

Supt Sawry said aerial support has been provided to assist in the search.

Krystal‘s family have asked the community for support at this time.

“At this stage funding will go towards the search efforts for Krystal,” Mr Cain wrote.

“Any donation you can make, small or large, would be of great assistance for the family as they wait for her return and recovery.”

You can donate to help Krystal’s family through GoFundMe.