Tributes for Armstrong Creek’s Ethan Tabe after Murray River drowning

A 22-year-old from Armstrong Creek is being remembered as a gentle soul after he drowned while swimming in the Murray River.

Ethan Tabe tragically drowned on the Murray River on the Australia Day long weekend. Picture: Supplied.

An Armstrong Creek man is being remembered as a generous soul with a heart of gold after he drowned while swimming in the Murray River.

Ethan Tabe, 22, was on a camping trip in Barooga in New South Wales when he drowned on January 24.

His uncle, Ben Tabe, said they had planned the trip for the Australia Day long weekend, with Ethan and a friend heading up a day early on January 23.

As Ben was packing to drive up and meet them the following day, he got the devastating phone call that Ethan had died.

“He was just having a swim,” Ben said.

“We’ve been up there numerous times before and swam in the Murray River many times.

“It makes me so angry because we don’t understand how this happened … it’s been so hard.”

Ethan Tabe tragically drowned on a camping trip on the Australia Day long weekend. Pictures: Supplied

Ben said Ethan had been planning to go on more camping trips this year.

“He wanted to spend more time outdoors … it was one of his passions,” he said.

The former Torquay College student is being remembered by loved ones as a “happy kid with a gentle soul” and for his “heart of gold”.

“He was like a son to me,” Ben said.

“Ethan would put anything before himself … if you needed help, he would be the first one to offer a hand.”

Ethan Tabe with his mum Sam. Picture: Supplied

When Ethan was about 16, Ben got him his first job at McDonald’s in Torquay and he worked his way up from a crew member to shift manager.

“He did have a bit of trouble at school … he was quite introverted and kept to himself,” Ben said.

“I got him working full time at McDonald’s and then he just opened up, he became a completely different kid.

“He was sociable and started to make more friends.

“He liked to have fun and make his time on shift enjoyable with his staff.”

Ethan was planning to buy a home with his mum, Sam, this year after working hard to save up for it.

“They wanted to work together and purchase (a house) and make it theirs,” Ben said.

“He always tried to help his mum as much as he could.

“Unfortunately that isn’t going to be a reality anymore.”

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help cover the cost of Ethan’s funeral and living expenses for his family.

It has garnered almost $18,000 in 72 hours.

“I can’t believe the generosity … it’s been amazing to see the impact that Ethan had on a lot of people,” Ben said.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

Originally published as Tributes for Armstrong Creek’s Ethan Tabe after Murray River drowning