‘Loyal, generous, brave’: Lockhart River plane crash victims identified

Husbands, fathers, grandfathers, mates. Generous, kind, loyal, brave men who went to work and never came home. Tributes are flowing for the five Cairns men killed in a plane crash near Lockhart River.

The Lockhart River beach where a light plane crashed on Wednesday, killing five Cairns men.

HUSBANDS, fathers, grandfathers, mates. Generous, kind, loyal, brave men who went to work on Wednesday and never came home.

Family and friends paid tribute to QBuild workers Wayne Ganter, 63, Henry Roebig, 62, and Wayne Brischke, 57, who died in the crash. Pilot Stuart Wavell, 36, and contractor Mark Rawlings, 49, were also killed with all five victims from Cairns.

The eldest of the group, health and safety officer Wayne Ganter, 63, had spent years in the construction industry, working around the country and overseas in Malaysia before moving back to Cairns with wife Lisa and their children.

Wayne Ganter, 63.

Son Jake described his dad, a father of three and grandfather of five, as “loyal, honest and hardworking”.

“First and foremost he was a family man, devoting his time to providing, teaching and making sacrifices for us that we will always be truly grateful for,” he said.

“He taught us to be conscientious and brave, and we know that’s how he would have been in his last moments.”

He said Wayne loved the outdoors and fishing, one of the reasons why they moved to Cairns from Sydney.

“He was passionate about construction, where he had spent his working life and continued his employment in the safety realm to help others enjoy construction as he had,” Jake said.

Friends of 49-year-old pest control contractor Mark Rawlings described him as “the life of the party”, an “amazing mate” and “a beautiful, loving, generous person”.

Mark Rawlings, 49.

“You lived life like you stole it,” a friend penned in a tribute.

Another added: “You were beautiful inside and out. I am going to miss you with all my heart.”

Another friend spoke to the Cairns Post, sharing that “Marko” was “a hell of a fella”, and that the tragedy had “left a big hole in a lot of people’s lives”.

“Nothing was ever a problem for him, he worked hard and played hard.”

READ MORE: PLANE CRASH SITE PROBE COULD TAKE DAYS

Born and bred Far North man Wayne Brischke, 57, was a father of three and grandfather of two.

He tragically lost both his parents, Edward and Cecilee Brischke, in a fatal car crash at Wrights Creek just south of Cairns in 2009, and his beloved wife Mary to cancer in 2013.

His father Edward had also worked in the construction industry as a carpenter and was prominent in the union movement.

Wayne Brischke, 57.

Henry Roebig, 62.

Father of two and grandfather Henry Roebig, who had a passion for the outdoors and travelling, was the third QBuild worker on the flight.

A Housing and Public Works spokesman said support was being provided to staff.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of five lives, including three QBuild staff and a QBuild contractor,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with their families and friends.”

Tribute to plane crash victims at Lockhart River. PHOTO: Lockhart River council

READ MORE: AERIAL FOOTAGE SHOWS CRASH SITE

Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni described the crash as a “devastating event”.

“Five people went to work and they never came home – we all mourn the loss of our colleagues and friends,” he said.

“QBuild staff and tradies are always there when Queenslanders need them most and their dedication to serving our community will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

The pilot has been identified as 36-year-old Earlville man Stuart Wavell.

It has emerged another QBuild worker was pulled off the doomed charter at the last minute in a move that saved his life.

Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher fought back tears as the victims were identified saying the worker who was taken off the trip should “buy a lotto ticket”.

“They were all top blokes. I’m gutted,’’ he said. “Why was the plane so low? When it missed the first landing, as it circled around, another plane snuck in and landed.” Weather charts show the cloud base was below 800ft, with marginal visibility in cloud, rain and squally conditions.

Originally published as ‘Loyal, generous, brave’: Lockhart River plane crash victims identified