Tributes for Joshua Hutchinson after drowning in Lake Nagambie

Family members of a teen just days away from turning 18 when he drowned in Lake Nagambie have paid tribute to the “fiercely loyal” boy.

Joshua Hutchinson, who drowned in Lake Nagambie, has been remembered by family and friends as “cheeky” and “fiercely loyal”.

Tributes are flowing for “fiercely loyal” teen Joshua Hutchinson who was days away from celebrating his 18th birthday when he drowned in a lake in the state’s Goldfields region on Saturday.

The Kangaroo Flat teenager was attending a wedding function at holiday venue Barong on the Water when he attempted to swim across Lake Nagambie around 5pm.

Search and rescue divers pulling his lifeless body from the lake on Sunday, more than 12 hours after he was seen struggling in the water.

Cousin Taiella Hutchinson took to Facebook and said losing Joshua days before his birthday had left her “heartbroken”.

“Such a tragic, freak accident that shocked us all to our core,” she wrote.

“You were so close to 18, you shouldn’t have been taken from us so young.

“Thursday will be a difficult day for us all without you here and I know that we will always think about the lovely cheerful boy that you were, who went through a hell of a lifetime but never stopped picking yourself back up.

“I’ll miss seeing you and your photos with the most beautiful, cheeky smile.

“While I am heartbroken, I’m so glad that you knew how loved you were and that you got to celebrate (the) wedding surrounded by family and those that love you.

“You’ll remain forever in our hearts, forever the strong man that you became.”

Joshua was attending a wedding when he went swimming in the lake.

Friends quickly lost sight of him in the water.

Joshua’s older sister Jessey thanked everyone who had reached out to offer their condolences.

The family is raising money through GoFundMe and has already surpassed their $8000 goal.

The GoFundMe described Joshua as both an animal and car lover.

“But most of all (he) loved his family and friends. His family will miss his big, wide, cheeky grin,” the description reads.

“This money will go to Josh’s adoring sisters to help give him the send off he deserves.”

Creswick Cougars Soccer Club posted on Facebook that it was saddened to hear about the passing of the 17-year-old.

“He was a member of our club throughout his junior years and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” the post read.

Friends were in disbelief when they learnt of the teen’s shock drowning, with one mate writing: “I really hope this is all one big night terror”.

“I love you man and I need you to just call me and say you’re coming down to see us,” he continued.

On the night of the incident, friends and Seymour police officers attempted to pull him from the water before they lost sight of him.

A frantic late-night search conducted by police and the SES failed to locate the boy.

Search and rescue divers pulled his lifeless body from the water about 9am on Sunday.

Loved ones of the young man embraced one another as the teen’s body was driven away from the lake.

Police and family at the scene of the tragedy. Picture: Josie Hayden

Barong on the Water, where the boy attended a wedding, has property overlooking the lake and access to the water through trees and vegetation.

Witness Janine Widgery was holidaying in the area at the time of the drowning.

“I heard a scream and I said that is not a good sign,” Ms Widgery said. “As a mum you just know it was a chilling scream. It is very sad.”

She said initially people didn’t realise it was the scene of a fatality.

“We heard a guy was missing.

“It is not a place you would go swimming.”

She said the tragedy had drew a lot of attention on Sunday. “There have been a few distraught people at the caravan park,” she said.

“Everyone has been walking past saying how sad it is for a teenager to have died.”

The boy’s body was found in the waters of the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre, a popular holiday destination at times swarming with competitive rowers.

One man said the water had remained empty in the days leading up to the boy’s death, saying thousands of holiday-makers often descended on the park that runs alongside the lake during peak times.

“We can get up to 6500 extra people here sometimes,” he said. “The whole river bank and this area (the lake) can be full of rowers. A lot of young families too.”

A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of the teen’s death.

Victoria Police said they would prepare a report for the coroner.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.