Christian Laska named as latest Isabella Falls victim
A dedicated and talented young Cairns hockey player who has since died after being injured in an accident at Isabella Falls last week has been remembered as a “joy to coach.”
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A dedicated and talented young Cairns hockey player who has since died after being injured in an accident at Isabella Falls last week has been remembered as a “joy to coach.”
On Thursday morning Christian Laska fell at the notorious Edmonton creek known for slippery and dangerous rocks.
He was rushed to Cairns Hospital in a critical condition with head and chest injuries.
Fighting for life he remained in a critical condition on Friday but died a short time after.
The Trinity Stingers Hockey Club paid tribute to the 17-year-old player and St Augustine’s College student.
Stingers president Vicki Sparkes said Christian would be missed by the entire Cairns hockey community.
“We are trying to be there for the family, it’s devastating news to all of us,” she said.
“He has been incredibly dedicated in all facets of his life, with school and hockey.
“He was just the loveliest person, he had such a willingness to learn and listen and was a pleasure to coach.
“His time with us was too short.”
Christian was a talented hockey player, coming through the ranks at Brothers Hockey Club.
He played his way into several representative teams through the years, lining up for Cairns in the Hawthorn Shield as well as having starts in the Cairns Hockey All Stars pre-season tournament.
In 2023, he was part of the St Augustine’s College team which finished third at the Melbourne Grammar School Invitational, a tournament in which his talent shone with three goals, one player of the match award and two players’ player honours.
He also represented Peninsula at the Queensland School Sport hockey championships.
Christian is the second person to die at Isabella Falls in as many years. In 2022 a 19-year-old Manunda woman was also killed.
There have been repeated calls for access to the waterfall to be restricted, which were again raised last week as emergency services arrived at the scene, however to date little action has been taken.
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Originally published as Christian Laska named as latest Isabella Falls victim
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