Luke Powell killed in tragic jet ski incident Townsville

The devastated family of a 15-year-old boy who was killed in a horrific jet ski incident has remembered him as a ‘loveable larrikin’.   

Luke Powell was killed when he was thrown from an inflatable tube being towed behind a jet ski on the Ross River in Townsville on Sunday afternoon.

Luke’s mother Shelly was reportedly driving the jet ski when he was flung off the tube and onto rocks on the riverbank.

‘He loved riding his motorbike, tubing, knee boarding and anything on the water,’ Luke’s family said 

Luke suffered severe head injuries upon impact and could not be revived. 

The Tec-NQ high-school student was remembered fondly by his family who struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.

‘Luke was a loveable larrikin and a beautiful young man,’ his family said in a statement released to the Townsville Bulletin on Sunday.

‘Our family is devastated by his loss and are still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.’

Luke’s family said he had a passion for sports, particularly water sports.

‘He loved riding his motorbike, tubing, knee boarding and anything on the water,’ they said.

According to initial reports, Luke’s mother Shelly was driving the jet ski when Luke was killed.

Luke’s mother Shelly was reportedly driving the jet ski when he was flung off the tube and onto rocks on the riverbank

Luke Powell was killed when he was thrown from an inflatable tube being towed behind a jet ski (pictured) on the Ross River near Loam Island in Townsville on Sunday afternoon

Inspector Mark Jackson said police investigations were underway, with the help of the Townsville Water Police and the Townsville Forensic Crash Unit.

Insp Jackson said Luke was flipped and thrown from an inflatable tube onto the riverbank when the jet ski he was towed behind attempted to execute a turn.

‘As I understand it his mother was driving the jet ski so our thoughts and wishes are with her at the moment,’ he said.