The father of Darcy Davey-Sutherland, who was killed when two boats collided on Australia Day, has broken his silence.
Australia Day 2024 celebrations turned ugly on the Swan River in Perth when dozens of people became involved in a violent beach brawl that was captured on video.
Darcy Davey-Sutherland was killed when two small aluminium boats collided at Grays Point road ramp, about 30km south of Sydney’s CBD on Friday.
Her father, Michael Davey-Sutherland, told Nine News his daughter was “so full of life and love,” and was “the beacon of light within our family” in both the UK and Australia.
Mr Davey-Sutherland said “it’s impossible to comprehend life without her”.
“She was about to embark on the most special part of life as she stepped into adulthood,” he said.
“Words cannot describe the pain we feel at the moment.”
Darcy Davey-Sutherland died in a boat accident at Grays Point on Australia Day. Picture: Supplied
Paramedics were called to the scene about 10.30am following reports a 16-year-old girl was seriously injured in a crash involving two boats.
Members of the public had pulled Ms Davey-Sutherland from the water before a Toll Ambulance rescue chopper winched in a doctor and critical care paramedic to assist her.
She was taken in a critical condition to St George Hospital, where she later died.
A GoFundMe page set up to help the Davey-Sutherland family has already seen more than $40,000 raised in 24 hours.
Friends and family have shared how devastated they are about the 16-year-old’s death in tributes posted online.
The 16-year-old later died in St George Hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone
“Will forever love you. You will forever be missed my beautiful angel, I will never forget our time together,” one friend said.
“I will miss you so much Darc, I feel like I’ve lost a part of me ,” another said.
Ms Davey-Sutherland had been wearing a lifejacket at the time of the crash.
It’s understood members of the public found her face down in the water and performed CPR on the teenager until paramedics arrived.
NSW Police have since seized the two tinnies for examination and an investigation into the circumstance surrounding this incident has commenced.
Following the crash, two 16-year-old boys were also taken to the same hospital for mandatory testing.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
