Freak accident on birthday trip leaves family shattered
There’s been an outpouring of grief for the Coffs Harbour nurse who died in a freak accident while celebrating his birthday. He leaves behind a young family.
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In less than 24 hours a GoFundMe page raised over $20,000 for the devastated family of Gordon Grant who died in a freak camping accident while out celebrating his birthday.
The donations and heartfelt tributes have been flooding in for the nurse who dedicated his working life to helping others at their most vulnerable and struggling with mental illness.
He died on Saturday in the Conglomerate State Forest west of Woolgoolga leaving behind his partner Kelly and three young children.
Just after 5.30pm emergency services were called to the state forest after concerns were raised in relation to a missing camper.
Gordon’s body was located at around 10.30pm and, in what an SES vertical rescue volunteer described as a ‘protracted and challenging’ cliff operation, his body was not retrieved until 4am Sunday.
Colleague Kristy Smith established the GoFundMe page on Sunday afternoon saying his compassion and kindness was unmatched.
“It’s difficult to put in words how devastated and how heartbroken everyone is with the sudden loss of such an exceptional man.
“The staff from the Mental Health Unit thought of Gordon as family - there will forever be a massive hole in our unit that will never be filled.
“And we all know how much his girls meant to him, so we have created this Go Fund Me page to support Kelly and their children.”
Some of the tributes and donations from heartbroken family and friends:
Evelyn Smith who donated $50 - My heart and condolences goes out to Gordons family. Gordon lit up our day..Always smiling, always happy and cheeky and a caring soul. We will miss you.
Jannette Rowe donated $100 - Gordon was the best and I feel so sad to hear about his sudden passing.
Chris and Mikaela Murphy donated $100 - We are so saddened and sorry for your loss. An amazing man gone to soon
Robin Ashley donated $200 - Wherever Gordo was, there always seemed like there was a little bit of magic close by. A gentle man who touched so many. What a loss.
To make a donation follow this link.
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