Family’s water safety plea after Lincoln Hill, 15, drowned in Shoalhaven River

Lincoln Hill, 15, is being rememebered as a lover of all animals who was taken too soon. He drowned after getting into difficulty while swimming in Shoalhaven River on New Year’s Eve.

A devastated family has issued a plea for everyone to respect the country’s waterways after a 15-year-old boy who drowned after disappearing while swimming with his mate.

“This was such a tragic, traumatic accident that can happen to anyone’s family,” Jacinta Beattie said.

“No one would wish this upon any family and no one would think this could happen to theirs.”

Lincoln Hill was enjoying a swim in the Shoalhaven River at Burrier on the state’s south coast on New Year’s Eve when he and his 16-year-old mate got into difficulty.

The pair attempted to get back to shore but Lincoln disappeared below the water.

Emergency service crews joined frantic campers at the site in the hunt for Lincoln, whose body wasn’t found until lunchtime on New Year’s Day.

Lincoln Hill, 15, drowned in the Shoalhaven River. Picture: Supplied

Ms Beattie, who was called “Aunty” by Lincoln, said the drowning had crippled the family.

“When I spoke to Lincoln’s mother she broke down trying to tell me how grateful she was to those families who gave up their plans for New Year’s Eve to help search for him,” she said.

“We really want them to know how grateful we are.

“As daggy as it might sound, please, if you’re going to go in a river, do it with a life jacket. These boys were just having fun, doing their thing, it could happen to anyone.

“Australia in summer, our rivers, waterways and beaches, the rips and currents can be deadly.

“Rivers especially. Not being able to see what’s under the water, so many people don’t understand the currents in the river.”

Already this year police have issued a warning about the spate of drownings and near-misses across the state.

Lincoln’s death has left family and friends in shock.

Lincoln Hill as a baby. Picture: Supplied

On Monday a father-of-two drowned at a lake in Mount Annan, south of Sydney, 38-year-old Fahim Wakili had waded in to grab his son’s soccer ball just before 5pm when he disappeared beneath the surface.

There have been nine deaths in NSW waterways since December 1 and more than 300 rescues.

Surf Life Saving NSW’s George Shales pleaded for swimmers not to add to those statistics, as ex-tropical cyclone Seth played havoc with ocean conditions.

“If you are not a strong swimmer, do not enter the water,” he said.

Friends are posting pictures of sunsets on social media in honour of Lincoln.

Meanwhile the South coast community has rallied to support Lincoln’s family, posting hundreds of sunsets on Facebook as a tribute.

“This has been amazing, he loved sunsets,” Ms Beattie said.

“The family let go of purple balloons by the river.

“Lincoln was a lover of all animals, he did his work experience at the Shoalhaven animal shelter, which is where he wanted to work.

“Instead of flowers, his oldest sister has spoken with the shelter and asked that if people could donate animal toys, treats and blankets. They know that would make Lincoln happy.

“There is a donation spot for people to go and take things in his honour.”

Ms Beattie has also been overwhelmed by the support on the GoFundMe campaign she started called ‘In loving memory of Lincoln Hill’.

To support Lincoln’s family, go to https://gofund.me/41d9e85e

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Family’s water safety plea after Lincoln Hill, 15, drowned in Shoalhaven River