Friends, family pay tribute to Peter Garlick after fatal rock climbing accident

Heartbroken friends and family have paid tribute to a beloved Brisbane teenager, who tragically lost his life in a horrific rock climbing incident.

Friends and family are paying tribute to beloved Brisbane teen Peter Garlick after he died in a rock climbing accident at the weekend.

Mr Garlick, 18, died after falling 40m from the cliff face of Mt Ngungun, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, on Saturday.

Mr Garlick often took to social media to share photos and videos of his climbing adventures with the cheerful teenager showing himself scaling to new heights.

Peter climbing near Mt Tibrogargan.

Peter was a strong climber.

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One of Mr Garlick’s most recent social media posts showed him climbing Mt Ngungun.

The photo, posted to his Instagram story a week ago, showed the teen confidently latching onto the cliff face.

Emergency services rushed to the same mountain on Saturday after other climbers saw Mr Garlick fall.

Paramedics were winched from a helicopter down to the spot where he had landed but he tragically died at the scene from his injuries.

Acting Senior Sergeant Jimmy Driver told the Sunshine Coast Dailya number of climbers had witnessed the “harrowing” fall.

A fellow rock climber had rushed over to Mr Garlick and gave him first aid until paramedics flew in.

“The mountain this afternoon was extremely busy,” Senior Sergeant Driver said.

“It was a harrowing event.

“People were shaken and traumatised by the incident which occurred well in view of multiple people.”

Peter ‘was doing what he loved’ when he died

Dozens of people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Mr Garlick, who was studying at QUT to be a teacher.

The Boys Brigade Queensland Leadership issued a statement yesterday, saying the teenager was “doing what he loved” when he died.

“Peter, an avid and experienced climber was doing what he loved,” the organisation said.

“No words can really do it, but we express our thoughts – we are standing with you – and assure the family of our prayers.”

Mr Garlick’s uncle Martin Howard paid tribute on Facebook.

“My nephew Peter was dearly loved by so many and we are deeply saddened and heartbroken for my dear sister Sue and family,” he wrote.

Mr Garlick was an avid and popular member of the QUT Cliffhangers, a rock climbing group at the university.

The group paid tribute to the “well loved” and “respected” teen.

“Since joining the club at the start of 2020, (Peter) was quickly established as one of the happiest, bubbliest, most positive people that any of us had the fortune to be around,” the group said.

“Words cannot describe Pete’s uniqueness. He had a way of making an impact on people quickly and deeply. He was very well loved and respected.”

The Cliffhangers group said Mr Garlick was “an extremely strong climber, crushing hard on everything he attempted”.

“We are absolutely shocked and devastated that climbing ended his life so suddenly and unexpectedly,” the group said.

“Especially since it is something that brought him so much joy and is such an important part of all of our lives.”

QUT Christians, a group that Mr Garlick was a part of at the university, also offered its condolences to Peter’s family.

“I have some sad news to pass on: one of our students passed away in a rock climbing accident on Saturday,” the group said.

“Peter Garlick was a second year education student who started coming to QUT Christians this year.

“We will miss Peter, even though we’d just begun to get to know him. But we are comforted by the hope that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. We will see Peter in the glorious new creation.

“Please pray that God would comfort Peter’s family, friends and church family as they grieve.”

Urban Climb West End, where Mr Garlick was employed, closed early yesterday.

Northside Christian College also paid tribute to Mr Garlick, who graduated from the school in 2019.

“Our most heartfelt condolences and prayers to Peter’s family and friends at this time,” the school said.

“The Garlick family have all been an integral part of Northside Christian College for many years, and we mourn alongside them today.

“He will always be remembered for his effervescent and joyful personality, as well as being a truly kind, humble follower of Jesus.”