‘Heartbreaking’: Usher Boyd remembered after tragic death at Hastings Point

A heartbroken North Coast mum in mourning after losing her son in a freak bridge jumping tragedy over Easter is pushing the state and council to improve safety as a tight-knit community grapples with collective sadness.

Cabarita teenager Usher Boyd, 17, tragically lost his life on Saturday March 30.

A heartbroken North Coast mum in mourning after losing her son in a freak bridge jumping tragedy is pushing the state and council to improve safety as a tight-knit community grapples with collective sadness.

Cabarita teen Usher Boyd died on Saturday after jumping from the Cudgera Ck Bridge on Tweed Coast Rd in Hastings Point.

It is understood he leapt from the bridge into shallow waters during a low-tide, before resurfacing briefly and then vanishing.

A search was initiated before residents found his body.

The Easter weekend tragedy has rocked the local community, with Mr Boyd’s mother Natasha Levitt-White taking to social media to thank people “from the bottom of our hearts”.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, to our lovely communities surrounding near and far, for the beautiful messages offering support and comfort in this devastating event of losing our little man,” she wrote.

“We have made contact with our local MP (Justine Elliot) and will be working on making the area safer for everyone.

“If anyone has any ideas to make it safer please don’t hesitate to private message me so we can take it to council and our local MP. This is our way of paying it forward to the community in such devastation.”

Richmond MP Justine Elliot told the ABC on Monday she would be supporting the family but aimed to speak with Tweed Shire Council on improving safety measures on the bridge.

A Tweed Shire Council spokesperson told NewsLocal on Friday: “As this is likely to be a coronial investigation, it would be inappropriate for council to comment at this stage.”

Bridge jumping in NSW carries fines of up to $654.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mr Boyd’s family.

‘Heartbreaking’: Tributes flow for lost teen after drowning

April 1, 2024: A northern NSW community is in mourning after the tragic death of a teenager at a popular swimming spot.

Usher Boyd, of Cabarita, died shortly after jumping from the Cudgera Creek Bridge at Tweed Coast Rd in Hastings Point on Saturday March 30.

It is understood he leapt from the bridge into shallow waters during low tide.

Emergency services were called about 4.30pm when witnesses saw the 17-year-old jump.

It is understood the teen fell into the water and resurfaced briefly before vanishing.

A search was initiated before local residents found Usher’s body.

He was retrieved from the water and although every attempt was made to resuscitate the teenager, he was unable to be revived and tragically died.

Cudgera Creek Bridge at Tweed Coast Road in Hastings Point where a teen lost his life after jumping from the bridge on Saturday.

An outpouring of grief for the lost teen has spread across social media with residents across northern NSW and South East Queensland offering words of comfort, thoughts and prayers for the family.

A heartfelt post from Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley Football Club said the club was “devastated” to hear of the passing of their “F4A All-star”.

“Our thoughts are with his mum Tash, his siblings and all their family and friends,” the post read.

Usher was a part of the first “Football 4 All” program in Football Far North Coast – the Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley FC All Stars.

The program aims to provide players of all abilities and additional needs with a supportive and inclusive environment, giving them the opportunity to maximise their potential and enjoy playing non-competitive football (soccer) at a community-based club.

Usher Boyd, 17 leapt to his death from the Cudgera Creek Bridge at Tweed Coast Road in Hastings Point on Saturday. Police deemed the incident misadventure.

“So heartbreaking,” Hazel Elphick wrote on social media. “Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Usher.”

“Sending so much love to Tash and her family. Absolutely tragic,” Zoe Frunks wrote.

“Sincere condolences to this young man’s family and friends,” Sue Caldwell wrote. “May your happy memories help you through this devastating difficult time.”

Family friend Shelly Dyer has set up a GoFundMe for the family, describing Usher as a beautiful boy with special needs.

“This is such a heartbreaking time for family … Usher is very much missed and loved by his mum siblings and mums partner Matty,” Ms Dyer said.