Hundreds gather for emotional paddle-out to honour teen Solomon Tucker
A beloved 17-year-old’s death has united hundreds in an extraordinary display of grief and love at Noosa’s shoreline.
Friends and family gathered at Noosa main beach to honour Solomon Tucker in an emotional farewell paddle on Thursday morning.
Loved ones met by the Noosa surf club, shed tears and shared embraces before starting the paddle out to honour the 17-year-old who died after being struck by a car in Claude Batten Drive in Noosa Heads.
Hundreds put their heads downs and walked with boards in their hands in silence towards the shoreline.
People in the water formed a circle during the paddle, and did an honorary splash in the water while attendees on the shore clapped.
Many also threw flowers into the water in tribute of the Noosa Christian College graduate.
Police said it was believed the 17-year-old had separated from his friends and was lying on the road before he was struck by a Ford Ranger just before 2am on Sunday.
It was unclear why the boy was on the road but police said he was not part of Schoolies celebrations.
The 19-year-old driver, of Tewantin, was not known to the boy, and tested negative in a roadside drug and alcohol screen.
Police said he had not been driving recklessly.
SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM PADDLE OUT BELOW
Sporting club tributes
Two sporting clubs have also paid tribute to the teen.
The Coolum Touch Association held a minute’s silence tribute at 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday night, along with a place set up for flower tributes at the fields.
The club also shared a tribute on social media stating, “RIP Solly – you will be so, so dearly missed.”
Coolum Touch Association president Peter Feldman described Solomon as having “a warm personality and cheeky sense of humour”.
“Many of the young players on these fields today knew him not only as a referee but as a friend and teammate,” Mr Feldman said.
Noosa Touch Association vice president Chris Way remembered Solomon as a “charismatic young man” and encouraged the clubs to share stories to combat the “grief and sorrow”.
The speeches held at Peregian Springs were followed by a minute silence and floral tribute led by referees.
Among tributes to the teenager, Solomon’s school, Noosa Christian College, posted a tribute to the recent graduate, describing him as having a positive attitude.
A paddle-out is also planned at Noosa on Thursday morning.
A fundraiser organised for Solomon’s family had raised $13,763 of a $16,000 target on Tuesday afternoon.
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Originally published as Hundreds gather for emotional paddle-out to honour teen Solomon Tucker
