Gold Coast water skier Jared ‘Jed’ Coey has died in hospital following an accident in the Grafton Bridge to Bridge race on Sunday.
Police say the 27-year-old father was likely travelling at about 100 km/h when he crashed out about 100 metres from the finish line in front of a sea of spectators, including his own family.
Following the accident, Mr Coey was airlifted to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma.
Doctors made the difficult decision to turn off his life support system late yesterday afternoon.
Mr Coey’s wife Kellie, who is expecting a second child soon, broke the news to his many supporters and followers in a Facebook post.
‘On behalf of myself, [son] Zain, Baby Coey and both of our families, it is with great sadness in our hearts that Jared passed away at 5:56pm this evening. We would like to thank everyone so much for their love, support and amazingly kind generosity,’ Ms Coey wrote.
A gofundme campaign that was launched after Jed’s injury had raised $56,925 of its target $60,000 target to help support his recovery. That money will now help to support Kellie and her soon-to-be two children while they get back on their feet.
‘They only just bought their first home together. They were working hard to live their dreams together. Now Kel is facing two young kids and a mortgage to look after by herself. Not to mention the heartache of Jed’s accident,’ reads an update on the campaign page.
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