’I stay positive for Eli’
Crewman’s fiancee remembers her love
THE fiancee of one of the six crewmen who tragically died when the FV Dianne flipped in waters off the town of 1770 remembers the love of her life Eli Tonks as kind, selfless and passionate.
Since his death in October last year Ana James said life had been a rollercoaster.
“Going from planning a wedding with the love of my life to suddenly being on my own, it’s been hard,” the 29year-old said.
“Having someone so special tragically taken away from us, it’s devastating. I find strength in knowing that Eli would want me to stay positive and not dwell in negativity, he always said my positivity was my best trait and one that he loved.”
A permanent memorial is being constructed at 1770 overlooking where the Dianne was found.
Ms James said that on October 16 this year loved ones would gather to honour the six who lost their lives.
Eli was trapped inside the vessel with skipper Ben Leahy, Adam Bidner, Zach Feeney, Adam Hoffman, Chris Sammut and Ruben McDornan, who managed to get free and was the sole survivor.
Ms James praised Mr McDornan for bravely sharing his story, which aired on Sunday night.
“While I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the entire story, I can’t thank Ruben enough for finding the strength to tell their story,” she said.
“What he survived is nothing short of a miracle and without him we may have never known what happened to our loved ones, as the safety and monitoring systems utterly failed them.
“The internal pain and survival guilt he must go through daily is unimaginable. He is so brave and I love him to bits.”
The bodies of Eli, Adam Bidner, Zachary Feeney and Chris Sammut haven’t been found.
Ms James has since returned to her country of birth Canada and reconnected with friends, who have supported her through her grief.