Luke Wentworth killed in accident at Southern 80 ski race event

The mother of a Melbourne water-skier who died during the Southern 80 ski race on the Murray River posted a haunting plea on social media before her son’s tragic death.

Luke Wentworth died while racing in the Southern 80 ski race in Echuca.

The mother of the water-skier killed at Echuca’s Southern 80 race on Sunday shared a haunting warning on social media before her son’s tragic death.

Trucker Luke Wentworth died after falling into the Murray River between Echuca and Moama at 10am during his race event and could not be revived, resulting in the event’s cancellation.

Mr Wentworth, in his early 40s, was competing with the Gassa Ski Race team at the time of the incident.

A Facebook post by the race team shared news of their preparation for the Southern 80 race, with mother Annie Wentworth commenting a token caution.

“Just please get to the finish line in one piece” she said beneath the post, which has since been removed from Facebook.

Another Gassa Ski team member responded he would “look after him” and a finish was the goal of the race.

Luke Wentworth is being remembered as an ‘amazing young man’. Picture: 7 News

Mr Wentworth’s sister, Bree McNair, has said the family was “absolutely devastated” by Luke’s death in a post to the race team’s Facebook page, with the family trying to come to terms with the “sudden and tragic loss of our beloved son, brother, brother in law and uncle”.

“It is with a very heavy heart and deep sadness that I can confirm that my brother Luke was killed this morning in a ski accident while racing in the Southern 80,” she said.

“Our hearts are broken not only for our family but for the whole Gassa Ski race team and we ask for your privacy and understanding at this very emotional and hard time.”

Kane Maskell, a friend of Mr Wentworth, described him as a “great friend to so so many” and a “very peaceful guy with a soft heart” who died doing what he loved.

“I told him one time he was crazy for doing it and that I felt like it’s a sport of a human trying to hold on to a rocket ship with a piece of string attached,” Mr Maskell said.

“He replied ‘I’ve loved and wanted to do it ever since I was a kid.

“Big fella, rest in peace Luke. We will all remember the sound of your western star double boaring up the road.”

Luke Wentworth is described a ‘beautiful’ and ‘generous’ man. Picture: Supplied

Distraught friends described him as a “beautiful” and “generous” man, who always wore a big smile.

Family friend Sandra Bason said his loved ones were devastated and shocked by his death – the seventh involving the waterski event since the late 1980s.

“He was just like a son to me,” she said.

“Luke was the most amazing young man … and his family are so beautiful.

“If I needed anything done, I only had to ask him. I just can’t believe he’s gone.”

Ms Bason said she recalled Mr Wentworth buying his first boat and said they shared many “funny times” together.

“He had the most beautiful smile,’’ she said.

Loved ones of Mr Wentworth have been shocked by the tragedy. Picture: 7 News

The Southern 80 is one of the world’s biggest waterski events, staged each year in the border towns of Echuca and Moama with tens of thousands of fans and competitors.

It was called off at 10am on Sunday after Mr Wentworth – who competes with the Gassa Ski Race Team – was injured and could not be revived.

Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp said racing was immediately suspended and later cancelled

“As a ski racing family we are here to support the affected family and team members as well the wider ski racing community in this terribly sad time,” he said.

Large numbers of people leaving after the race was cancelled due to the tragedy.

Venom Ski Racing team member Troy Geoffries said the sport had inherent risks, but Mr Wentworth’s death was a “sobering moment”.

“We didn’t get to race in the water, but were still brushing shoulders with the Gassa team,” he said. “It is shocking to hear of someone you knew well in racing circles passing so suddenly.”

Mr Geoffries said the ­extreme sport had a tight-knit community, with people of all ages from eight to 60-year-olds competing.

“A lot of people are involved with the sport and I’m sure a lot are impacted by this sad event,” he said.

The race event was cancelled for the day after Luke Wentworth’s death. Picture: Ian Currie

Others took to social media to share their condolences, with one saying Mr Wentworth was a “rippa bloke” with a “big smile and a heart to boot”.

Murray River Council Mayor Frank Crawley, the Moama Ward councillor, said the community would be reeling after the tragic incident on the water.

“This is really a tragedy for the families, a tragedy for the boating community and also our local community,” he said.

A sign revealing the event has been cancelled.

“Even with the best safety controls, and that is something the Moama Water Sports Club takes very seriously, these things can still happen. There are people who have been coming up (to compete) for a long time, and they have a lot of friends in the area, and there’s no doubt they will be impacted by this tragedy.”

Chief Inspector Paul Haggett, of Moama police, said an investigation had begun.

“This will affect the community for months to come, long after everyone has gone home,” he said.

Chief Inspector Paul Haggett says Luke’s death is an ‘absolute tragedy’. Picture: Ian Currie

Police are also asking for those who may have captured any videos or photos of the ­accident to come forward to contribute to their investigation.

A report, assisted by Gassa Water Ski Race Team and organisers, will be prepared for the coroner.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman said responders had also attended a second emergency call, in Torrumbarry, on the river on Sunday morning.

“We’ve transported a man in his 20s to Echuca Hospital with a leg injury,” he said.