Promising rugby player, Kailah May, drowns in Girraween pool

Almost $20,000 has been raised for the family of a ‘beautiful’ teenager who drowned in a backyard pool.

UPDATE 7.30pm, THURS: Almost $20,000 has been raised for the family of a ‘beautiful’ teenager who drowned in a backyard pool.

More than 200 people have donated to the cause, with the original goal of $10,000 having to be increased.

By 7.30pm on Thursday $19,600 had been donated to the cause.

Many of those donating have left words of support for the family.

“Our hearts are broken for our family,” Patrick Stephensen posted.

“Love to Tara and James from Uncle Paddy.”

“Luv you my family forever young beautiful baby girl,” Nancy Jeffrey wrote.

To donate to the Go Fund Me, click here.

Tributes flow for ‘beautiful light’

A LOVING tribute to a teenager taken before her time has emerged to help her family farewell their “beautiful light”.

Kailah May, 19, was pulled from a Girraween pool after being found by bystanders on Monday afternoon.

A GoFundMe on behalf of her family of has been set up to raise money for her farewell.

After only an hour, it reached over a quarter of its goal of $10,000 for her funeral.

The fundraiser described the Top End rugby player, dancer and “beautiful soul” as a “little fighter” right from the start.

“Our KK defied all the odds against her to than be taken away tragically from her loved ones before her time,” it said.

“The family are hurting beyond words and there will forever be a piece missing from all of us.”

It said the young woman and her “Poppy” would continued to watch down on her loved ones as their “guardian angels”.

“The family can find comfort in knowing that her poppy Jimbob would have been waiting for her and now they are together,” it said.

“Fly high our KK and give us the strength we need from up above.”

Kailah was following in the studded footsteps of three generations of Top End rugby players before her untimely death.

Nightcliff Dragons Rugby League Club and life member Jackie, who didn’t want her surname published, remembered the 19-year-old as a “beautiful” woman and valued player loved by her team.

Jackie said Ms May had a bright future and career in the women’s National Rugby League.

“She was a third generation player,” Jackie said.

“She followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, father and uncle who have had a long history at the club.”

Jackie said the young woman was gorgeous inside and out.

“She was a beautiful soul,” Jackie said.

“She was a happy and loved young lady in the club, among her peers and her team.

“She had a promising rugby career and was extremely talented.

“We are devastated for her family. She had her whole life ahead of her.”

The rugby league community has banded together after news of the incident.

Northern Sharks Rugby League Club posted on its Facebook page saying the young player was “talented and a beautiful person who will be greatly missed”.

“Sharkies club sends our sincere condolences to the family and friends.”

South Darwin Rugby League Football Club posted a tribute to the victim’s family.

“Rest peacefully beautiful girl who will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing such a talented young lady.”

Family and friends also expressed their grief on social media.

St John Ambulance NT ­operations manager Craig Garraway confirmed the young woman was pulled from a pool by bystanders at 4.44pm on Monday.

Paramedics and police tried to resuscitate her but she died at the scene.

The Top End teenager has been described by loved ones as “a beautiful baby girl” whose talent shone on the sports field and in the spotlight.

Litchfield Bears Rugby League Club wrote on facebook, “our hearts are broken”.

“We have lost one of the Bear family,” it said.

“Gone but will never be forgotten. Forever in our hearts.”

Her teammates and fellow club supporters shared their grief and extended their love to the 19-year-old’s family.

“So very sad to hear of the passing of such a beautiful young woman,” Shelly Westley wrote.

Kailah May at the Mabel Park State High School Senior Formal in 2020. Picture: Renae Droop

“Sincere con­dolences to all of (her) family and friends. Sending love, light and strength.”

“You will be missed terribly,” Brenda Jeanne Dami­bila Cubillo wrote, while Mc Lee called on the team to “find strength in each other” in the wake of the tragedy.

Ken Steinhardt said the 19-year-old would be missed out on the field.

“(It’s) so hard to hear … (she) was an awesome and talented rugby league player,” Mr Steinhardt wrote.

Dream Calisthenics Dance Club (DCDC) also paid tribute to the young dancer, whose bright smile lit up their club for years. “It is with the heaviest heart to advise our cali family we have lost a beautiful young lady,” DCDC wrote on Facebook. “We have gained a beautiful angel.”

A former coach said she was a “treasure” to teach.

“She had such a big heart for a little person,” Samantha Hoskin wrote.

Dream Calisthenics Dance Club dancers, Kailah May,12 (black cat costume) with (l-r) Rani Garton 14, Brittany Baker,13 and Caitlin Hughes 15

A wave of heart emojis took over Facebook as the 19-year-old’s loved ones shared their sadness and disbelief over the tragedy. “You will be missed on the field, in our homes and in our lives – Devastated,” Ngaire Aukino wrote on Facebook.

“No words can describe this sad news,” David F posted.

“Our deepest condolences and sympathies to … all the family. Love forever little sister, fly high.”

“Rest in peace beautiful girl shine like a star,” Nadia Knight said. “What a tragic news, fly high gorgeous girl. Sending lots of love to your family and friends,” Marina Kavana said.

“Sending love and strength to the family,” Pauline Schober said.

INITIAL, TUES MAY 16 7AM: A FEMALE has died after drowning in Girraween on Monday.

St John Ambulance NT operations manager Craig Garraway told ABC Radio Darwin that bystanders did everything they could to resuscitate the person before emergency services arrived.

A Triple-zero call was received at 4.44pm on Monday.

The woman was pulled from a pool in Girraween by bystanders.

PFES said police were in attendance and there was no suspicious circumstance.

Originally published as Promising rugby player, Kailah May, drowns in Girraween pool