Family members of a young girl who drowned at a popular swimming spot southwest of Brisbane have remembered her as a “lovely, shy, caring, and remarkably mature” child.
Adior Kuer Akech, 7, was swimming at the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve in Chuwar, a suburb of Ipswich, just before 5pm on Saturday when she disappeared in the water.
Queensland Police and emergency services commenced a search and rescue operation to locate her, assisted by Polair and the dive unit.
Her body was found five hours later, around 10.24pm, and she was declared deceased.
In a GoFundMe fundraiser, Nyimeda Macham – the wife of Adior’s older cousin – revealed more details on how the school holiday swim suddenly turned to tragedy.
“I am fundraising on behalf of the parents of our lovely, shy, caring, and remarkably mature 7‑year‑old girl, Miss Adior, whose life was tragically taken on 11 April 2026 at a popular swimming spot southwest of Brisbane,” Ms Macham wrote.
“We held onto hope as police, divers, and community members worked tirelessly to find her.
“Her older brother, Akech, was transported to Ipswich Hospital in a stable condition after the incident.
“He bravely screamed for help for his sister, and bystanders immediately leapt into action in an attempt to save her.”
Ms Macham said the family’s hearts were “shattered” by Adior’s death.
“No parent should ever endure such unimaginable pain. Alongside their grief, the family is now facing significant financial hardship as they prepare to lay their daughter to rest,” she wrote on the fundraiser.
Funds raised through the donation drive will go directly to Adior’s funeral arrangements and to support the grieving family “as they navigate the days ahead,” Ms Macham wrote.
“Your generosity, prayers, and compassion mean more than words can express,” she said.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Located on the Brisbane River, Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve has been described as a “special place” for the Ipswich community and a culturally significant site for Indigenous Australians.
“It has been popular for picnics, sport, tourism, water activities and for the continuation of cultural practices and connections for many years,” the Ipswich City Council’s website states.
