Jake Ryan’s funeral remains capped despite grand plan from family for more to attend
The grieving brother of Jake Ryan, who tragically died last month in Italy, has been made to cut friends from the popular Gold Coaster’s funeral.
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THE family of Jake Ryan have been left to tell friends of the popular Gold Coaster they can’t attend his funeral because of COVID-19 restrictions.
Jake Ryan, who was a well-known Australian rules player, died after he was clipped by a train while running in Noto, Italy on October 13.
Jake’s brother Mitch was leading a push to get the Queensland Government to increase the number of people allowed at his funeral – which under the state’s COVID-19 restrictions is capped at 100 – after Metricon Stadium offered the venue for the event.
Under Queensalnd Government’s current restrictions, funerals can have a maximum of 100 people in either indoor or outdoor venues irrespective of its size.
However, the number of people permitted at “wakes, memorial events or gatherings after the funeral and similar events” is determined by the location it is held.
The number of people to pay tribute to Jake has been overwhelming.
After waiting two weeks for a response, the Queensland Government wouldn’t budge on its restrictions, despite the larger outdoor venue and a COVIDSafe plan in place at the stadium.
“As a family we just don’t understand the decision. We understand there’s restrictions in place and why, but when a funeral – not only Jake’s but anyone’s who has a larger venue that can operate with more people safely – why can’t more people attend,” Mitch said.
“It’s confusing why only 100 people can go to a funeral but 30,000 can go to the AFL grand final. We’re a footy family and loved seeing all those people at the grand final, but how is a funeral more dangerous?”
The grieving family have decided to lay Jake to rest on Friday, November 13 at a private funeral home limited to 100 people.
A wake will be held at Metricon Stadium from 1pm following the service, which will allow from 500-750 people to attend under the stadium’s COVIDSafe plan.
“We’re just happy to have a ceremony for Jake that more people can come to and be together to share his memory and have a toast to the great man,” Mitch said.
“My fiance and I were starting to plan a wedding before this all happened and had started to think about how to go about cutting people from the wedding list.
“Now I’m doing that with my brother’s funeral. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve had to do telling mates they’re the 101st person on our list and won’t be able to come to the funeral.
“Everyone has been really good about it and understands our tough situation, but it’s still so hard to have that conversation.”
MOTHER REVEALS TRUTH ABOUT JAKE RYAN'S TRAGIC DEATH
THE family of well-known Gold Coaster and Bali bombing survivor Jake Ryan who died in a tragic accident while on holiday has thanked their many supporters as they wait to bring him home.
Jake was wearing headphones while jogging when he was clipped by a train in Noto, a city in Sicily on October 13.
His mother, Leanne Ryan, told Hot Tomato’s Galey, Emily Jade and Chris this morning Jake was aware of the train but was clipped by the steps.
“From what we understand, he was off the road and it wasn’t a tunnel or anything, it was under a road and it was quite normal to duck through there,” Mrs Ryan said.
“He was actually aware of the train and according to the train driver he was clear of the train except it had steps on the side and it was the steps that clipped him and threw him.
“He died, we believe almost instantaneously. The driver of the train stopped and the driver tried to render assistance but it was too late and we’re told he died of massive internal injuries.”
Jake’s death came just a day after paying tribute to Bali bombing survivors on social media.
The former coach of the youth squad at Southport Sharks wrote about feeling lucky to have survived the attack.
“Eighteen years … a lifetime ago … yet seems like yesterday,” he said.
“I just think how lucky we were to get home. Some weren’t.
“Our love, prayers, thoughts and support with you and your families today.
“Forever thankful. Being on this trip I’m on at the moment is a perfect reminder of how lucky
I am.”
Mrs Ryan said during the interview that Jake’s death was a ‘tragic accident’ after speculation about the case.
“Given we’re in a pandemic and mental health is front and centre, there have been a lot of suicides from people who just haven’t been able to deal, and I just want everyone to know that was just a tragic, tragic accident.”
The family will hold a memorial service, however, Mrs Ryan said bureaucracy and a lack of flights between Europe and Australia was delaying Jake’s repatriation.
BROTHER’S HEARTBREAK: ‘IF I COULD, I’D PAINT THE SKY FOR HIM’
THE brother of well-known Gold Coaster Jake Ryan who died in a tragic accident while on holiday in Italy has told of how the family has been flooded with support.
Mitch Ryan, the second oldest of the three Ryan brothers, said it was understood Jake was wearing headphones while jogging when he was clipped by a train in Noto, a city in Sicily about 10am local time on Tuesday.
“He was going for a run with his headphones in and from what I picked up, he didn’t understand the width of the train and he was clipped,” Mitch said.
“The train driver’s initial report said he didn’t have any time or space for him to pull up and it all happened pretty bloody quickly.”
Mitch said Jake started a new job with New York-based company better.com but was forced to work remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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“He was living the dream – the whole world had come to a stop, and Jake said: “F**k that I’m going,” no one can ever tell him what to do,” he said with a laugh.
Mitch explained that Jake was invited by family friends, who were based in London, to join them on holiday in Italy.
He said one of the family friends visited the site where Jake was killed yesterday and has been helping the family keep up-to-date with Italian authorities.
“We’ve been in constant contact with DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), they’ve been super helpful, but it’s really all in the hands of the Italians at the moment,” Mitch said.
“It sucks not having a date or even a time frame on when we can bring him home.
“Luckily for us, we’ve got someone on the ground there and through all his grief and pain, he’s taken charge.”
Mitch said the family had been flooded by messages of support from people throughout the country and the world in the past 24 hours.
He said his parents, Danny and Leanne Ryan, were taking it “pretty tough” and he found it hard to describe how he felt.
“It’s just so strange, I’ve never had this feeling before, I can’t really explain it.
“I feel empty, lost, angry and sad. We’ve been bawling our eyes out but with smiles on our faces while telling stories about him.
“We’ll forever miss him and the world’s a sh**tier place without him. If I could, I’d paint the sky for him.”
TRAGIC DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT DEATH OF BALI BOMBING SURVIVOR
PROMINENT Australian rules player Jake Ryan has died after he was hit and killed by a train while running in Noto, Italy.
Mr Ryan was working remotely for move.com.
Italian media organisation Giornale Di Sicilia reported on Tuesday morning local time that a 39-year-old Australian man, who was living in a bed and breakfast at Avola in Noto, was running beside a railway line when he was hit by a train.
The driver stopped the train and reportedly tried to revive the man but the injuries were too grave.
The report said: “On the case, investigations are underway by railway police officers who have already carried out the surveys to reconstruct the last moments before the tragedy.”
Tributes poured in for the Coast Bali bombing survivor after news broke of his tragic death.
Fellow Bali bombing survivor Andrew Csabi held back tears as he described the devastation he felt after hearing of the passing of his good mate.
Mr Csabi explained the pair had a “bond for life” after surviving the 2002 Bali bombing terrorist attack that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, on October 12, 2002.
The Gold Coast business owner said he was surrounded by mates on Monday afternoon on the 18th anniversary of the attack when he received a message from Mr Ryan.
“I sent him a message on Monday afternoon when I had the luxury of catching up with about 18 mates for lunch at Broadbeach,” Mr Csabi said.
“He always thought of everyone else and the unique thing about Jake is his family unit is so galvanised and caring.
“I remember Jake just being a typical young Aussie man, he didn’t fear anything. He loved his family and he loved his mates.
“He was flamboyant, fit, outgoing, everyone likes him.
“I went to his family’s birthdays, I went to Mitch’s 21st, family outings and we’d catch up on anniversaries. It’s a bond you’ve got for life after Bali.
“What a lovely family that involved me into their family with all their get-togethers, it’s just a loss, another really nice guy gone.”
Mr Ryan’s last post on social media was about the 18th anniversary of the Bali bombing attack on October 12.
The former coach of the youth squad at Southport Sharks wrote about feeling lucky to have survived the attack.
In the post on Monday, Mr Ryan paid tribute to the survivors of the Bali bombing.
“Eighteen years … a lifetime ago … yet seems like yesterday,” he said.
“I just think how lucky we were to get home. Some weren’t.
“Our love, prayers, thoughts and support with you and your families today.
“Forever thankful. Being on this trip I’m on at the moment is a perfect reminder of how lucky
I am.”
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Mr Ryan was well-known in Australian rules circles, playing for Southport and Surfers Paradise as well as interstate in Victoria and Western Australia.
Surfers Paradise Demons officials put out a statement to members about Mr Ryan’s death and have invited friends to gather at Benowa Tavern at 3pm for a beer.
He worked at the Gold Coast Bulletin between 2014 and 2017, but more recently, was working remotely from Europe for Move.com.
Tributes flowed on social media for the well-loved Gold Coaster.
Josh Willatt said: “Sad day today as we lost one of the best! RIP great man Jake Ryan, never met a bloke to live life harder or better than him.”
Rebecca Britten said: “Can’t believe it. You were living each day to the full and with such a grateful heart. Rest In Peace.”
Korey Fulton said: “Absolutely tragic news mate, I’m shattered.”
Vanessa Ashley said: “Oh man, that’s devastating to hear. Such a legend!”
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