Grief spills over as search continues
THE close-knit Wynyard community was wrapping its arms around families and friends of the three young people involved in Monday’s boating tragedy as a search of the jagged coastline near Table Cape failed to find any sign of Ulverstone man Thomas Courto.
The bodies of Bree-Anna Thomas and Isaiah Dixon, 23, were recovered from the shore near Fossil Bluff on Wednesday afternoon.
Helicopters flew low along the coast on Thursday trying to find Mr Courto, 26, and the boat but to no avail.
On Monday, an underwater surveyor will be used over a 320ha search area to try to find the vessel.
Police say finding the 17ft Caribbean should provide some answers on what happened during what was meant to be a fun day on the water.
Family and friends continue to keep a vigil at the Wynyard boat ramp – where the trio were due to return but never arrived.
Waratah-Wynyard Mayor Robby Walsh said the community was grieving along with the families and he wanted them to know their
community was behind them and ready to do anything they could to help.
“Isaiah used to play with my grandkids when he was little, such a polite boy he was,” Mr Walsh said.
“I went down to the vigil at the boat ramp on Wednesday afternoon and the amount of people there was astounding.
“It is a terrible situation and the community wants to offer support and understanding to the families,
friends, emergency personnel and volunteers involved. We are a strong and very closeknit community and thankful for the efforts made.”
Floral tributes were also building in Wynyard’s Goldie St on Thursday after the community was encouraged to show support and shared sorrow for the families.
“A small gesture to show support and condolences to all family and friends who have experienced heartbreak this week. As a town we are with you,” the first bouquet left by Annie Matthews said.
Devastated friends of the three boaties took to social media to vent their pain, with Isaiah Dixon described as “the main character of everybody’s lives, including his own” and the life of the party.
“My heart breaks and I’ve got an empty spot that will never be filled,” his mate, Brian Beckrerath, said.
“Love ya so much my brother, I’ll cherish every memory I have and the ones I can’t remember and all the dumb shit we have done together. Rest easy my man until I see you again.”
Another mate said things would not be the same without Isaiah.
“It was always a good time with you around. You will be missed by many,” he said.
A Wynyard community Facebook page, usually filled with pictures of the beautiful coastal town, was black on Thursday in honour of those involved in the tragedy and their loved ones.