‘Beautiful soul’: Tributes pour in for Surfers Paradise drowning victim Lizzie Kerry

Tributes have poured in for a ‘gorgeous girl’ following her tragic death on the Gold Coast. Find out how family and friends plan to honour her memory.

Family and friends have paid tribute to a “beautiful soul” and “gorgeous girl” following her tragic death on the Gold Coast.

Lizzie Kerry drowned near the Esplanade at Elkhorn Ave, Surfers Paradise, about 4am on May 21.

Emergency services performed CPR on Ms Kerry after she was pulled from the water, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the 32-year-old was visiting from NSW and her death was not deemed suspicious.

Ms Kerry had community ties on the Gold Coast, NSW, Melbourne and New Zealand.

Her close friend Kristopher Vincent started an online fundraising page to pay for funeral costs, which has since raised a whopping $20,000.

He described the 32-year-old as a “gorgeous girl”.

“A sister, a daughter, a friend, a kind voice - whatever Lizzie meant to you, she was the brightest light, a ball of energy and the definition of ‘lights up a room’,” Mr Vincent said.

“Her family and friends want to send her off in style and re-live the memories in all of the cities she called home, across Australia and New Zealand.

“Any remaining funds will be donated to Lizzie’s favourite charities.”

Tributes for Ms Kerry flooded her social media accounts, with Jess Petersen describing her as a “beautiful soul”.

“Sending my love to you darling and fly high Lizzie you absolute angel.”

Mel Sharpin said the world would not be the same without her bubbly spirit.

“You will be missed Lizzie Kerry. May you fly even higher in your new life,” she wrote.

“The world won’t be the same without you.”

Mazza McGuirk remembered the outgoing young woman for her “fearless, fun, passionate and generous” soul.

Another urged other people to “live life like Lizzie”.

Just weeks before Ms Kerry’s death, lifeguards pleaded with swimmers to follow safety warnings in the wake of the drowning of a Gold Coast man in his 30s.

There had been five beach rescues on the Gold Coast that week.

Queensland Ambulance Service supervisor Adam Flori said swimmers who ignored safety messages were putting themselves and rescuers at risk.

“It’s frustrating because it doesn’t appear the messages are being heard,” Mr Flori said at the time.

To view the fundraising page for Ms Kerry, visit here.

Follow @Melwhiting