“Such a terrible tragedy”: Sadness over young kayaker’s death
The public has expressed an outpouring of sadness at the tragic death of a teenage kayaker whose body was found after an ill-fated trip on the water in southern Tasmania.
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THE public has expressed an outpouring of sadness at the tragic death of a teenage kayaker whose body was found after an ill-fated trip on the water in southern Tasmania.
Valentine Bester was reported missing on Thursday afternoon 6 ½ hours after departing the Lauderdale Yacht Club on a kayak, and a passerby made the tragic discovery on a beach on the Tasman Peninsula on Friday morning.
Readers on the Mercury’s Facebook page spoke of their sadness at the death and passed on their condolences to Mr Bester’s family and friends.
“RIP Valentine, I was watching the Dodges Ferry Sea Rescue and Westpac helicopter do everything they could in Frederick Henry Bay to find you, they did an amazing job considering the wild weather, I feel for them as well, sincere condolences to your family and friends,’’ Carol Freeman wrote.
Kristy Phillips said it was “heartbreaking” and that she was thinking of the man’s family and friends.
Jacqui Brown wrote: “My heart goes out to this family. So very sad. Tragic.”
Sharyn White said: “Incredibly sad news totally heartbreaking sending much love to his devastated family.”
Premier Peter Gutwein, speaking at a livestreamed press conference about coronavirus-related matters, said it was another tragic event, which came on the same day as a fatal car crash on the Midland Hwy at Ross which claimed multiple lives.
Mr Gutwein issued the government’s condolences to the family.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to them,’’ he said.
“It’s just such a terrible tragedy.”
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