THE death of a father and son in a light plane crash in a remote part of North West Queensland has rocked the small community of Croydon.
Mayor Trevor Pickering said the loss of local businessman and Deputy Mayor Eddie Garde and son Sandy had come as a great shock to everyone.
“He was a great mate, level headed and hard-working,” Cr Pickering said.
“I’ve never met a more talented man in my life.”
He said he was well known in North Queensland, having lived in the Gulf region all his life.
Cr Garde, aged in his 50s, owned the local pub in Croydon and an earthmoving business, employing a number of people.
He had been on the council for more than 20 years, most recently as Deputy Mayor.
Cr Pickering said Cr Garde had taken up flying to get around the remote region, and would fly groceries in to stations when they were cut off by floods.
“He was a good businessman and a steadying influence - this hasn’t really sunk in with us all yet.”
The crash occurred about 3.30pm at Bellfield Station, about 180km north of Richmond, in typical gulf savannah country.
Cr Garde, who had been flying the Cessna, died at the scene.
His son was taken to the neighbouring homestead by a local property owner, but died before the Royal Flying Doctor Service arrived. Sandy was aged in his 20s.
Forensic Crash Unit officers and air safety inspectors were still at the crash site on Tuesday afternoon.
A spokesman was unable to say how long they would remain.
“Investigations are ongoing and it will be up to the coroner to release findings,” he said.
Cr Garde is survived by his wife Eva and two sons, Peter and Darryl.
