6-year-old Airlie Montgomery’s cause of death revealed

The cause of death of 6-year-old Airlie Montgomery on the NSW South Coast has been revealed after a desperate search ended in heartbreak.

A little girl who went missing on the NSW south coast likely died from misadventure after her body was found at the bottom of a nature reserve in the water, leaving a town in mourning.

Airlie Montgomery, six, wandered from her family in North Nowra on Sunday afternoon, sparking a desperate search for the child who is autistic and non-verbal.

Tragically, her body was found just after 6pm in the Shoalhaven River beneath The Grotto, a popular walking track.

NSW Police said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Airlie’s death, and that it was likely accidental.

The North Nowra community rallied together and battled the heat on Sunday afternoon and into the evening in a bid to find the young girl.

Six-year-old Airlie Montgomery’s body was found hours after she disappeared. It appears her death was accidental. Picture: Supplied.

The desperate search for Airlie occurred on Sunday. Picture: NSW Police/Supplied.

Hundreds of people in the community hit the streets in a desperate effort to find Airlie. Now the site in which her body was found is lined with flowers as heartbroken residents locals pay their respects.

Shoalhaven mayor Patricia White said Nowra was a “town in mourning” and called on the community to come together.

“This is just an absolute tragedy,” Ms White told this publication.

“Words cannot describe how horrible this is.”

“Hold your kids tight, chat to your neighbours to see if they’re okay,” she said.

Shoalhaven mayor Patricia White said Nowra was a “town in mourning”. Picture: John Appleyard

Ms White said this was another blow to the coastal town, noting they already lost two young individuals in highway car crashes just days before.

“It’s just a very sad time for our little town, there’s no denying that,” she said.

An outpouring of tributes have emerged online in the wake of Airlie’s tragic death, with many labelling the news “unfair”.

“Incredibly sad. Fly high Airlie,” Maria Kirk posted.

“My heart is broken for the family and her many friends,” Sassey Debz Brice also posted.

Federal Gilmore MP Fiona Phillips also spoke of the tragedy, saying her thoughts were with family and friends.

She also urged anyone who needed support to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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Originally published as 6-year-old Airlie Montgomery’s cause of death revealed