A 13-year-old champion waterskier has died after crashing in a state title race, with his heartbroken father paying tribute to his “best mate”.
Blake Tickell, from the Hills district in Sydney’s north-west, was rushed from the NSW State Titles at Wyangala Dam, southeast of Cowra, to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead with critical head injuries on Saturday afternoon.
He died in hospital shortly before 6pm Sunday night. “In memory of my son, my best mate. Love you for eternity Blakey,” his father Darren Tickell wrote on social media.
“He died doing what he was so passionate about.
“Blakey was wise beyond his years, an old soul, had love for everybody, and will be forever in our hearts.”
It is understood Darren was observing from the boat when the incident occurred.
Blake, who was named the Rouse Hills Times Junior Sports Star in November, was a third-generation devotee of waterskiing who was enjoying a remarkable 2017, winning state and national titles in his age division.
Blake’s father, uncle and grandfather were all exceptional skiers and the family kept a holiday house on the Hawksbury River where Blake fell in love with sport, one close family friend said.
“Everyone knew Blake Tickell because he was coming along in leaps and bounds,” the friend said.
“He was a nice kid. He wasn’t a smart alec, he knew right from wrong and he was just a happy chappie.
“It was no fault of anybody, it was just one of those things in a corner.
“He tried to get back into the wash and his ski got caught in the wash.”
The friend said Blake and his family knew the risks of the sport, through generations of experience.
Ski Racing Australia issued a statement on the incident today.
“Blake, 13, was recovered from the water unconscious and was attended to by paramedics before being flown to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Blake passed away at 5.40pm on Sunday,” the statement said.
“A police investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
The body’s chairman Russell Lewis said support will be offered to Blake’s family, including mother Simone and brother Cody.
Sport | news.com.au — Australia’s #1 news site
