Teen cousins killed in speedboat tragedy prompts warning

Lifesavers issued a warning to swimmers and boaties to beware of dangers in inland lakes as Hannah Seymour, 14, and Rebecca Teuma, 13, were farewelled together.

The tragic death of two teenage cousins in a recreational boating accident could have been caused by recent floods moving or hiding debris beneath the water’s surface in country NSW.

Hannah Seymour, 14, and Rebecca Teuma, 13, were farewelled together in their home town of Quirindi, near Tamworth, on Wednesday, as lifesavers issued warnings to swimmers and boaties about dangers in inland lakes.

The girls, who were best friends as well as cousins, died when the speedboat they were being towed behind on Lake Keepit hit a submerged tree, just two days after Christmas.

Police said the boat was being driven by a man who was towing the teens on an inflatable raft.

Locals with knowledge of the lake said a year of repeated floods had changed the layout of the waterway, and there were trees and stumps in it now that weren’t there 12 months ago. They also said more trees were hidden due to higher water levels.

Rebecca Teuma (left) and Hannah Seymour died when the speedboat they were being towed behind hit a submerged tree on Lake Keepit.

Royal Life Saving Australia general manager RJ Houston said floodwaters could move submerged objects into places that were dangerous for swimmers in murky inland lakes.

“In all inland waterways submerged objects are an issue,” he said.

“In Australia, unlike in Canada, the US or Europe, the water is often murky, so it is important to understand that those hazards may not be visible.

“In addition, floodwater … can move those debris.”

The teenagers and their families were on a day trip to the lake on December 27 when the tragedy happened.

Distraught father Jason Teuma told more than 1,000 mourners at the joint funeral that his daughter Rebecca could do anything, and “made her dad so proud”.

“She could ride a motorbike, crack a whip … fix the water pipes,” Mr Teuma said.

Pink and blue ribbons flew in the breeze to honour the girls’ “brightness” as mourners heard how Hannah was an outdoors girl who loved getting muddy.

“She was completely enthusiastic, fun, cheeky, outdoorsy, a little ripper — it’s just a really awful loss,” a friend told The Daily Telegraph.

“(Her family is) some of the most generous people in the community, they’re the kindest to everyone.”

On a social media tribute page, hundreds of friends of the teenagers remembered two “awesome” girls who were in the prime of their lives.

“School will never be the same without you … fly high gorgeous girls,” one friend wrote.

Another said: “You didn’t deserve this, I still can’t believe it happened to you.”

The town’s mayor Doug Hawkins said the deaths had shattered the small community of about 3500 people where “everyone knows everyone”.

“We as a shire are supporting the family in whatever way we can,” Mr Hawkins said.

Police are still investigating the tragedy.

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