Jonathon Bird killed in Barron River jet ski crash
The passenger who was flung into the Barron River during a jet ski crash that killed her partner for the first time has spoken about the tragic loss of a dedicated father and her loving partner.
Cairns
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The man killed in a freak jet ski crash on the Barron River last week has been remembered as a dedicated father, hard working businessman and loving partner.
Jonathon Walter Bird of Brinsmead was killed near the Stratford boat ramp after crashing a jetski into mangroves on January 3.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but the 56-year-old, known to mates as Birdie, was declared dead at the scene.
Mr Bird’s partner and passenger on the jet ski, Sybilla Frances, was taken to Cairns hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the crash.
She fractured her scapular and had all over bruising after being thrown from the water craft.
“I blacked out,” she said.
“(Jon) died from chest injuries, blunt force chest injuries and there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
“It was a tragic accident, Jon was fun loving but he was not careless and with me on the back he would have been ultra cautious.”
Born in Rabaul in the East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea, Mr Bird came to Cairns where he quickly established life long friendships before returning to PNG to work in the mining industry.
He later skilled up to become a qualified cabinet-maker and more recently started a concrete line pumping business in Cairns.
Through the sadness Ms Frances said she had been uplifted by countless messages of support since the death of her partner which she indicated was testament to his caring and kind nature.
“He was the most hard working brave man and he loved life,” she said.
“He was always there helping people and he was vibrant and full of life.
“The reason he bought the jet ski was to give himself some playtime because he was such a hard worker.
“And he was the best father to Sophie, they were always doing something like cycling and swimming.
“He adored his family and we knew it, he would always pick up the phone and say ‘hello gorgeous’.”
For daughter Sophie Bird her dad’s love of music and dancing stands out as a treasured memory.
“He was just unique, he really was one of a kind,” she said.
Old friend Vicki Korb was sad to hear of Mr Bird’s passing but was comforted in the knowledge he died doing what he was passionate about.
“He passed doing the thing he loved and having fun,” she said.
“He was into water sports and mountain biking and he was very happy right up until the last day.”
Ms Korb fondly remembers Mr Bird as a man who enjoyed a joke and having fun.
“He was always the life of the party and loved travelling and his friends meant the world to him,” she said.
“He was a qualified cabinet-maker and always used to like to make his best mates things out of timber.
“And I’m sure his service will be massive in Cairns and attend to lots of people.
“He was a wonderful guy.”
Lynette Binder remembers Mr Bird from her earlier days when the pair participated in the Cairns Rotaract club.
“He was always out and about and amongst the fun,” she said.
“He was a happy sort of fella, willing to help anyone and he was always up for a chat.”
Online tributes have paid homage to the father, long-time Cairns local and outdoor adventure seeker.
Daniel Douglas worked alongside Mr Bird and described his former colleague as a “great fella”.
“RIP Birdie you were always a hard worker and will be missed condolences to the family
Birdie was a great fella and will be missed, sad news,” he posted in tribute.
Police believe Mr Bird and Ms Francis were ejected from the watercraft after crashing into mangroves, but officers were unable to provide further information about what happened leading up to the crash.
The former student of the All Souls St Gabriels School in Charters Towers is survived by partner Sybilla, daughter Sophie and siblings Jane, Stuart, Anthony, Ian and Peter.
A final send off for Mr Bird will be held on January 16 at the Chapel of Heritage Brady Funeral Directors in Gordonvale from 10am.
Police are preparing a report for the coroner.
Originally published as Jonathon Bird killed in Barron River jet ski crash
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