WAVES OF SORROW
Paddle-out farewell for crash victim
TODAY Tim Johnson was meant to be celebrating his 25th birthday.
Instead, family and friends are mourning his death after the former TSS student was killed in a car accident at Tamborine on Saturday.
Tim was returning home from the shops along Been- leigh-Beaudesert Rd about 6.40pm when his car veered off the road, hitting a culvert and rolling multiple times before catching fire.
Tim died at the scene and yesterday those closest to him came together at Main Beach for a paddle-out to remember the much-loved 24year-old.
About 25 of his friends took to the water to lay wreaths and roses in the ocean while at least 30 others watched on from the beach.
Among those out in the water was one of Tim’s oldest friends, Alex Mehrtens, who said the paddle-out was the perfect farewell. “It was magical,” he said. “It was actually amazing the amount of people who had even taken the day off work just to come out and respect him.
“I have been one of his best mates for 25 years, since we were born, because he lived next-door to me at Bundall. He was basically my twin and Tim and I were just inseparable.”
For Tim’s mother Bronwyn the show of support was overwhelming.
“It was such a beautiful morning and to see them all out there and whales in the background was amazing,” she said.
Tim’s sister-in-law Eliza Johnson said the turnout was incredible, with members of the Main Beach community, where Tim grew up, also coming along to show their support.
And while her two-yearold daughter Lyla Johnson might not quite understand what has happened to her “Uncle Timmy”, she too took part, throwing rose petals at the water’s edge.