Family of Damien Little toast memory of two little boys and their father gone too soon

HIS wife was too distressed to attend, but Damien Little’s brothers have put on an emotional display at the site where he drove off a wharf.

A supplied image obtained Tuesday, Jan. 01, 2016 of the Little family, Damien Little, Koda (older child), Melissa and Hunter (smaller child). A South Australian father drove off a wharf, killing himself and his two young children. The bodies of Damien Little and his children - Hunter, aged about one, and four-year-old Koda - were pulled from the water off Brennen Wharf in the Eyre Peninsula town on Monday. (AAP Image/ South Australia Police) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

ARM in arm and filled with emotion, the family of Damien Little raised a toast in memory of two little boys and their father gone too soon.

Tributes for young Koda Little, 4, Hunter, 10 months, and their father Damien Little, 34, continued to mount on Wednesday as their grieving families thanked the community for its support.

Several mourners, including family members, again visited the growing shrine on the town’s main wharf as Damien and Melissa Little’s parents issued a joint statement.

“In relation to our recent family tragedy, we would like to thank the SA Police Force, emergency and diving services and our local community as a whole on your care and support over the past two days,” the statement, from Ken and Sue Little and Dale and Debby Goldsworthy, read.

The families also said they felt media coverage of the tragedy had been sympathetic and supportive but requested time to grieve in private.

Damien Little’s brothers with their partners, and Mr and Mrs Goldsworthy, were among mourners who visited the memorial at Brennan’s Wharf on Wednesday to pay tribute to Koda, Hunter and Damien.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED: Family and friends of Damien Little raise a toast to the young father and the couple’s lost boys at the scene of the tragedy yesterday. Picture: DEAN MARTIN

They died when Little drove his white Ford station wagon off Brennan’s Wharf and into the depths of Boston Bay about 6am on Monday. Little’s brothers left flowers and a blue teddy bear and raised a toast, with Johnnie Walker and cola, to the sea that ended the lives of their brother and little nephews. In tears and embracing, they also read the messages of love and support.

Mr and Mrs Goldsworthy also visited the memorial on Wednesday and took some items from the scene to show family.

Melissa, 30, has been too distressed to visit the shrine to her sons and husband. Little’s uncle, Kenneth Hill, choked back tears as he visited the memorial. “Thank you to everybody that’s supported us (and) been there for us . . . it’s such a tragedy,” he said.

A bunch of flowers he laid on the memorial had a note reading: “Rest in peace Damien, Koda and Hunter. Love from your uncle Kenneth Hill.”

POIGNANT: Damien Little, Koda, 4, Melissa and baby Hunter enjoy a day at the beach in a photo released by the family.

The families’ statement came 24 hours after the Little family released two poignant family photographs showing a happy Damien and Melissa with Koda and Hunter on a local beach. Items laid on the wharf are expected to be moved in the coming days, possibly to the nearby Fisherman’s Monument that stands in memory of those lost at sea.

Port Lincoln Mayor Bruce Green said there had been talks about moving the shrine to a safer location. “From my understanding, the family was worried about safety issues with (it) being so close to the water and kids around.”

The decision was being driven by family and community, but there was no talk of when the shrine would be moved.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide, contact one of the following for help: LIFELINE 13 11 14; BEYONDBLUE 1300 22 46 36, or THE SALVO CARE LINE 1300 36 36 22

Originally published as Family of Damien Little toast memory of two little boys and their father gone too soon