‘We are devastated at losing a light that shone so bright’: Family grieve after body of father-of-four, 63, who went missing while kayaking on the Brisbane River is recovered
- The body of a man who disappeared on the Brisbane River has been recovered
- Mark Roome, a 63-year-old father-of-four disappeared after kayak flipped over
- He was out on the river near West End with friends about 4.40am Wednesday
- Water police, Polair and officers searched for Mr Roome for nearly two days
The family of the 63-year-old rower who disappeared on the Brisbane River say they are devastated to lose 'a light that shone so bright in all our lives'.
Mark Roome, a father-of-four, disappeared while kayaking with friends about 4.30am on Wednesday.
After nearly two days of searching, his body was recovered by police just after 6pm on Thursday, not far from where he disappeared.
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Mark Roome's body was found just after 6pm on Thursday evening after he disappeared on the Brisbane River
Mr Roome, 63, had been rowing with friends early on Wednesday morning, when his vessel overturned
'Late yesterday evening, the family received the news we'd all been dreading. Mark's body was recovered by the police around 6:20pm,' a statement from the Roome family read.
'The family are understandably devastated at losing a light that shone so bright in all our lives.'
Mr Roome, who was already a father and grandfather to four, was expecting his fifth grandchild later this year.
'Mark was an incredibly humble, genuine and selfless person. His happiness and love for life was contagious with his catchphrase of "Isn't life wonderful?",' The statement continued.
'He continued to inspire those around to be the best version of themselves and live each day to the fullest.
His friends turned to look for him and only saw his overturned kayak, with no sign of the father-of-four
Mr Roome was an avid rower, and would take to the water two or three times every week
'The family is incredibly grateful for all the support received from family and friends, colleagues and the community. We would like to particularly thank the hard working emergency services for locating Mark and all their assistance during this time.'
Mr Roome was an experienced rower, and distraught family waiting for him at the Commercial Rowing Club on Wednesday told The Brisbane Times the man as 'the most beautiful, upbeat person you could meet'.
Christine Landy, his sister-in-law, told The Brisbane Times Mr Roome would go rowing two or three times every week.
The 63-year-old is believed to have fallen into the water about 4.40am as the river approached West End.
Police, Polair and water police searched for him for nearly two days before his body was found.
His sister-in-law described him as the most beautiful, upbeat person you could meet'
A police helicopter was seen scouring the Brisbane River after Mr Roome went missing on Wednesday
When his friends realised he was gone, all that was left was an overturned kayak, and no trace of the devoted father.
Others out on the water joined in a frantic search for the man, as one person shouted to shore for someone to call Triple Zero.
A rescue helicopter and a swarm of police were soon at the site, as other officers went to speak with Mr Roome's family.
Ms Landy said she and her sister Sandra, Mr Roome's wife, had a sinking feeling when police arrived at the family home.
'The next thing police were at the door asking to speak to Sandra,' she said.
'…As soon as they said 'your husband went rowing', we knew.'
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart issued a plea to locals to keep an eye on the river during the two-day search, while Inspector Don Dunstan asked anyone with CCTV footage to share it with authorities.
Police watched over the bridge for Mr Roome to surface on Wednesday morning while others scoured the water
The 63-year-old was out on the river with friends when one of the kayaks overturned in part of the river near West End about 4.40am on Wednesday (Brisbane River pictured)
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