A teenage boy who recently lost his mother and younger brother in a car accident on the NSW south coast has been dealt more devastating news – his missing father’s body has been found in a creek after Queensland’s devastating floods.
Shanon Heidemann was searching floodwaters in Gympie for 50-year-old David Heidemann when he learned of the car accident involving his mum and two siblings on the Princes Highway in Berry on the 4th of April.
The 17-year-old’s family had been driving to visit the children’s grandmother in Narooma when his mother, Jane Towers, and his 12-year-old brother Jayjay were killed in the collision with a truck.
His 14-year-old sister Khloe survived the accident and remains critically injured.
Shanon’s father meanwhile had been missing since March 31st after telling family he was going to visit a friend in Gympie and failing to return home.
Queensland Police informed the family on the weekend that a State Emergency Service volunteer had found Mr Heidemann’s body in Barambah Creek at Mondure, west of Gympie, after the father of three disappeared in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie.
Ms Towers’ sister-in-law Belinda Hartigan told Fairfax that Shanon was now being looked after by his grandmother after moving to Mondue to live with his father after his parents’ separation.
Khloe is still in a critical condition but “was doing very well” and “fighting as hard as she can”, Ms Hartigan said.
Ms Hartigan said Shanon is “holding up” with the tragic news.
“He’s doing the best that he can with everything that’s happening,” she said.
Ms Hartigan’s family have started a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses and Khloe’s hospital expenses, which has already surpassed the $10,000 goal.
