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Heartbroken dad pays tribute to daughter killed in boat crash

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

Second man presumed dead in boat crash

A grieving father who lost his daughter in a tragic boating accident on Australia Day has broken his silence, saying his daughter will be remembered as “a beautiful soul” by friends and family.

Darcy Davey-Sutherland was killed when two small aluminium boats collided at Grays Point road ramp, about 30km south of Sydney’s CBD on Friday.

Her father, Michael Davey-Sutherland, told Nine News his daughter was “so full of life and love,” and was “the beacon of light within our family” in both the UK and Australia.

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Mr Davey-Sutherland said “it’s impossible to comprehend life without her”.

“She was about to embark on the most special part of life as she stepped into adulthood,” he said.

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

RELATED: Heartbreaking tributes for 9yo girl swept away in Queensland floods

Darcy Davey-Sutherland died in a boat accident at Grays Point on Australia Day. Picture: Supplied
Darcy Davey-Sutherland died in a boat accident at Grays Point on Australia Day. Picture: Supplied

Paramedics were called to the scene about 10.30am following reports a 16-year-old girl was seriously injured in a crash involving two boats.

Members of the public had pulled Ms Davey-Sutherland from the water before a Toll Ambulance rescue chopper winched in a doctor and critical care paramedic to assist her.

She was taken in a critical condition to St George Hospital, where she later died.

A GoFundMe page set up to help the Davey-Sutherland family has already seen more than $40,000 raised in 24 hours.

Friends and family have shared how devastated they are about the 16-year-old’s death in tributes posted online.

“Will forever love you. You will forever be missed my beautiful angel, I will never forget our time together,” one friend said.

“I will miss you so much Darc, I feel like I’ve lost a part of me ,” another said.

RELATED: SA Police commissioner’s heartbreaking letter to ‘cheeky’ son killed in crash

The 16-year-old later died in St George Hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone
The 16-year-old later died in St George Hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Ms Davey-Sutherland had been wearing a lifejacket at the time of the crash.

It’s understood members of the public found her face down in the water and performed CPR on the teenager until paramedics arrived.

NSW Police have since seized the two tinnies for examination and an investigation into the circumstance surrounding this incident has commenced.

Following the crash, two 16-year-old boys were also taken to the same hospital for mandatory testing.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Originally published as Heartbroken dad pays tribute to daughter killed in boat crash

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/heartbroken-dad-pays-tribute-to-daughter-killed-in-boat-crash/news-story/d895c850e9086f6e54d1ce599eaa8d12