Tributes flow for ‘beautiful, kind’ teen Dane Bracey, who died at Crystal Creek

The mum of the teenage boy who tragically drowned in a flooded Queensland river says her “heart has broken into a thousand pieces”.

Dozens of friends and family are paying tribute to Dane Bracey, a beloved Queensland teenager who drowned after jumping into a swollen river.

The 18-year-old was with friends and his girlfriend when he jumped into Big Crystal Creek about 4pm yesterday.

Mr Bracey’s parents Gail and Darren paid tribute to their son on their joint Facebook account saying the family was unsure if they would recover.

“Today a part of my soul and all of my heart has broken into a thousand pieces, I don’t know how I’m going to get thru this. Our beautiful, kind and wonderful son, Dane Bracey drowned in an accident, swimming at Crystal Creek,” they wrote.

More than 100 of the family’s friends commented on the heartbreaking post, expressing their condolences.

“I had the pleasure of seeing Dane grow and learn during primary and partial high school. He was the sweetest and kindest boy anyone knew. It’s devistating (sic) to have him taken away from you so soon,” Ashleigh Hazle said.

“My heart is absolutely breaking for you guys right now. A kind and compassionate soul taken way too soon. Sending all my love to you Gail, Darren and Ellie,” Ben Wright added.

Dane Bracey died in Big Crystal Creek yesterday. Picture: Facebook

St Anthony’s Catholic College, where Dane graduated from last year, also paid tribute to the teen.

“It is with heavy hearts that we inform our College community of the news that one of our senior students of 2017, Dane Bracey sadly passed away in a drowning accident over the weekend,” the college wrote. “Our prayers, thoughts and love are with Dane’s family and friends.”

Dane’s younger sister Ellie still attends St Anthony’s Catholic College, a school she excels at academically.

Emergency services were called to the flood-affected creek in Mutarnee just after 4pm yesterday.

Police said Mr Bracey had jumped into the creek and resurfaced before he became pinned under a log.

“He went underwater and came back up again,” Senior Sergeant Matheson said.

“At this point he yelled ‘help, help’ but at that stage the friends with him thought he was just playing a joke.

“But he went under again and his girlfriend tried to enter the water which was rapidly flowing with fresh floodwaters from the upper Paluma.”

His friends found him 30 minutes later, lying face down in the water. Despite their CPR efforts, he couldn’t be saved.

Big Crystal Creek, north of Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Dane was also a talented rugby league player with his former team and friends mourning the teen.

“It is with great sadness that we inform you of the tragic passing of Dane Bracey,” Mount Isa Rugby League wrote.

“Dane grew up in Mount Isa with his family and enjoyed playing the game of rugby league. Dane represented both Mount Isa and Qld Outback. Dane’s father Darren was a former referee and referee’s co-ordinator. The Mount Isa Rugby League community wish to pass on our deepest sympathies to Darren, Gail and Ellie in this very hard time. You are all in our thoughts.”

“RIL bro Dane Bracey. You were always such a soft-spoken young man matured beyond your age. Gone too soon, fly high young man,” Jamal Aniston Fonoimoana wrote.

Dane was 18 years old. Picture: Facebook