Krystal Cain laid to rest in Bundaberg after nearly three years
Family and friends have gathered at Bundaberg for a final farewell to 14-year-old Victorian Krystal Cain, whose remains were only recently discovered three years after she was swept away in floods near Gympie.
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A life filled with potential was tragically cut short, leaving families across two states shattered and searching for answers.
After a prolonged search for her remains, flood victim Krystal Cain’s funeral on Friday marked a bittersweet moment of closure for those who loved her.
The 14-year-old girl tragically died after a harrowing incident on Murgon Gayndah Road, near the intersection of the Burnett Highway.
While driving across a bridge, Krystal and her father, Lenny from Echuca in Victoria, struck a pothole that disabled their car in January, 2022.
They were on their way to visit Krystal’s grandparents in Agnes Water between Bundaberg and Gladstone.
Stranded on the bridge as the creek below began to rise, the situation quickly turned dire.
Despite their efforts to escape using an extension cord as a lifeline against what Lenny described as a “violent” current, Krystal was swept away by the floodwaters.
Her remains were found after an exhaustive search lasting almost three years.
Speaking at the service in Bundaberg, Krystal’s sister Shantai read a heartfelt message from their other sister Haylee: “There is no bond stronger than a sister’s bond, forever and always, no matter how far apart.”
Shantai spoke of Krystal’s fearlessness as a child, saying “her fiery spirit made her unforgettable.”
As Krystal grew older, she mellowed but remained the sisters’ “constant, our companion, and our inspiration”
Krystal’s aunty, Trina, described her as the “baby of the family”.
She spoke of Krystal’s connection with her grandparents, recalling how she loved it when “Nanna and Pop visited in their caravan.”.
Trina shared how animals were drawn to Krystal, saying, “she was such a natural with them because they saw the purity of her heart.”
Krystal’s artistic talent was evident in everything she did, inspired by her father’s tattooing.
Her love for art shone brightly, and her kindness touched everyone she met, the crowd was told.
In another tribute mourners heard how Krystal would take extra food to school to share with classmates who didn’t have lunch.
“She loved her birthday, one of the only times Krystal embraced being the center of attention,” the tribute read.
Her love for the outdoors, fishing, camping, and making snow angels highlighted her adventurous spirit.
“She has left a shining light in each and every one of us.
“We will never truly be apart; you will always be in our hearts.”
Krystal’s grandmother Jan shared the memory of Krystal’s last words to her: “I love you Nan, I’ll see you in the morning and will surprise Pop.”
In her tribute, Jan expressed her longing, saying, “If heaven had a phone, I’d call you every day.”
A friend, Sonja, shared a moving message during the service, quoting Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s the Little Prince: “In one of those stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so, it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night. And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me.”
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Originally published as Krystal Cain laid to rest in Bundaberg after nearly three years