Man charged following boat crash that killed hairdresser Samantha Louise Jones

The devastating circumstances around the death of a “beautiful soul” have been revealed, following a shocking incident on a popular river.

A “beautiful soul”, “bright and bubbly” and a “shining star” taken all too soon.

Samantha Jones was living her dream in the Hawkesbury region of NSW, working as a hairdresser and a volunteer with St John’s ambulance when her life was cut tragically short in February this year.

Ms Jones died in a horrific boat crash late one Sunday night when the boat she was travelling in mounted the riverbank in Wilberforce about 9pm. In pictures following the crash, the blue and white vessel could be seen wedged under a tree in a mangled mess.

Hairdresser Samantha Jones was killed in a horror boat accident on the Hawkesbury River in February.

Hairdresser Samantha Jones was described as a beautiful soul.

Paramedics arrived to the scene on the riverbank of the cauliflower farm, and attempted to resuscitate the 32-year-old, but tragically Ms Jones could not be saved. It is claimed that the position of the boat and the low lit area hindered search and rescue efforts, as authorities struggled to locate the wreckage in darkness.

The 32-year-old was described as “bright and bubbly”.

Ms Jones, originally from the UK, described Australia as a second home.

On Tuesday, more than four months since the accident in early February — a 38-year-old man has now been charged with dangerous navigation occasioning death.

Police allege that Ms Jones’ partner, Mr Brendan Faithfull, was at the helm of the vessel when it crashed into the riverbank in Wilberforce.

The boat Ms Jones was travelling in appears lodged under a tree on the bank of the Hawkesbury River at Wilberforce. Picture: Channel 7.

The 38-year-old man at the helm of the vessel has been charged. Police allege he had alcohol in his system.

In a statement issued by NSW police, officers attached to Marine Area Command commenced an investigation into the death of Ms Jones in the months following her death. After mandatory testing at Westmead Hospital on the night of the crash, police allege Mr Faithfull returned a positive result for alcohol.

“About 9.00am yesterday (Tuesday 18 June 2024), police arrested the 38-year-old man,” a statement issued by NSW Police read.

“He was taken to Windsor Police Station where he was charged with dangerous navigation occasioning death.”

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Windsor Local Court next month.

At the funeral of Ms Jones held in England, video footage shows a distraught Mr Faithfull paying tribute to his “beautiful” partner and “soul mate”.

“Samantha you were truly the most beautiful person that I ever met,” he said at the service.

“You truly are my best friend and partner. I know we only shared a short time together, but I felt like we had known each other forever.

“I cannot believe you are gone and I cannot imagine doing life without you. I am blessed for the time we shared and the memories we created.

“You are my soul mate and best friend forever.”

Paramedics and police at the scene in Wilberforce battled with difficult terrain and low light to reach the boat wreckage.

The death of British-born Ms Jones rocked the close-knit Hawkesbury community, with close family and friends sharing memories on social media about what a “bright light” the “bubbly” blonde was.

In the days following her death, Ms Jones’ mother Sandra said she was “completely devastated and heartbroken” by the loss of her daughter.

“Never in our lives did we think we’d have to do a post like this,” she wrote on Facebook in February.

“We are completely devastated and heartbroken to announce the passing of our beautiful shining star Samantha, in a boat accident on Sunday, in the place she fell in love with as her second home.

“We are completely destroyed, we all love you so so much forever. OurW hearts are forever broken … our beautiful girl, we hope you know how much love there is for you.”

Ms Jones, far right, worked as a hairdresser at a popular salon in the Hawkesbury region.

Ms Jones’ workplace, a much-loved hair salon in Richmond NSW, paid tribute to the “beautiful human” that lit up every room.

“You taught us all how to love and care for one another,” a tribute post to Ms Jones read on Instagram.

“You showed us that family isn’t just blood it’s how people make you feel. You were proof of our salon being a safe space, you created that for all of us.

“I’m forever grateful for not only the beautiful human you were to everyone that met you and walked through our doors but for always looking after me and looking after the salon like it was your own.

“Sammy, you are so loved, beyond anything you could ever imagine. Life without you just doesn’t seem real.”

Sam was a much-loved member of the Hawkesbury NSW community.

Following the accident which rocked the Hawkesbury community, locals were quick to put blame on authorities who don’t do enough to patrol the waterways.

“We have seen a few incidents where people [on the water] don’t have too much common sense,” one local told 7News.

Local man Paul Harrigan said boating enthusiasts know there’s “low chance” of getting pulled over on the river, which is popular for fishing, waterskiing and wakeboarding.

“There’s not enough enforcement with it … they know they can get away with it, basically,” he said.

In response, NSW police said Water Police patrolled all major and rural waterways and the NSW coast targeting speed, alcohol use and reckless driving.

“Marine Area Command conducts large-scale police operations in different waterways around the state including the Hawkesbury River,” a spokesperson said.

“Local commands also patrol areas with frequent boat usage such as boat ramps, piers and beaches looking for those drivers who would put others at risk on the water.”

Ms Jones wasn’t able to be saved after a boating accident in February.

Locals say the stretch of river where Ms Jones died often isn’t patrolled by water authorities.

The death of Ms Jones happened less than two weeks after another boating accident claimed the life of 16-year-old Darcy Davey-Sutherland on Australia Day.

The teenager was killed when two small aluminium boats collided at Grays Point road ramp, about 30km south of Sydney’s CBD.

Ms Davey-Surtherland died in hospital after being pulled from the water following the collision.

Darcy Davey Sutherland was also killed in a boating accident earlier this year near Gray’s Point.

16-year-old Ms Davey-Sutherland was killed in a collision between two small boats at Grays Point on Australia Day.

Her father Michael said in a statement to 9News that it is now “impossible to comprehend life without … a beautiful soul”.

“Words cannot describe the pain we feel at the moment.”

Last month, following extensive enquiries, NSW Police announced that the 16-year-old boy operating the Anglapro runabout — which collided with the Quintrex Dart runabout Ms Davey-Sutherland was travelling in — had been charged with operating a recreational vessel negligently causing death.