A Queensland woman who drowned at a popular Gold Coast beach has been remembered as a “wonderful soul” who loved her children “more than anything”.
Sonya Sullivan, 51, slipped on rocks at Froggy’s Beach, just near Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta on Sunday, April 30.
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She fell into the ocean and was caught in a rip that dragged her back towards the rocks.
When Sullivan’s 15-year-old daughter Tara jumped in to try to save her mother, she also found herself in trouble.
A group of people attending a gender reveal party nearby rushed in to assist when they heard Sullivan and her daughter screaming for help in the waves.
Four men ran into the hazardous surf but soon also found themselves in danger, sparking a mass rescue operation.
One of the men managed to pull Tara to safety, however, despite resuscitation efforts, Sullivan could not be saved.
Tara and her 18-year-old brother Bailey, who was also injured in the rescue attempt, were both taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Two of the men who had jumped in to save the pair were also taken to hospital but were discharged the following day.
Kristy Clancy, who has set up a fundraiser on behalf of the Sullivan family, described the efforts of the good Samaritans as “valiant”.
“We all appreciate and respect the other persons at a nearby party who bravely jumped into the dangerous waters to save Sonya’s young daughter, Tara,” Clancy wrote.
“We love and appreciate the fact they were so brave and wonderful heroes that traumatising day.”
The fundraiser notes Sullivan had only just celebrated her 51st birthday a month before her death.
Clancy said Sullivan had struggled for many years trying to get pregnant and when she did finally have children, they became her “number one priority”.
“Sonya always made sure to keep a safe and loving home for her children. She had some health complications which prevented her from having long-term employment,” Clancy said.
“She always made sure her kids had everything they needed and loved them more than anything — even Zumba, and she loved her dancing.”
Money raised through the GoFundMe will go towards Sullivan’s funeral costs, as well as helping to support her two children.
“Both of the kids are unlikely going to be able to live on their own for quite some time, and we will need to expand the family home or sell this home and buy a bigger house to support the sudden growing number of people,” Clancy wrote.
Almost $10,000 has been raised.