By Brett Kennedy
IT IS the final photograph of father and son captured shortly before Duncan Craw tragically died while snorkeling off the Port MacDonnell coast, a cherished possession for young Levi – who turns three this month.
The Craw family is still coming to grips with last month’s tragedy, which they believe was the result of a medical episode, and have vowed to return to the reef where Duncan was last seen, waving to his high school sweetheart from the calm ocean.
A memorial gathering was held Sunday for the much-loved 32 year old as donations for Taylia and Levi climb beyond $42,000 to help support the young family’s future.
Taylia’s brother Bret Trigg spoke fondly of his brother in law, with the family buoyed by the strength of Levi, who “knows his daddy is in heaven”.
“Having the support of the community all over Warrnambool, all over Australia and New Zealand, has helped get us through and we’re so grateful for all the donations that have come in for Levi,” Mr Trigg said.
“Duncan’s biggest gift to our family was Levi and the love he gave Taylia,” he said.
“He’s not here anymore but that love we felt is never, ever going to end.”
Mr Trigg said the family would always be ‘coastal kids’ and Levi would feel an extra connection to the water, knowing his father is there with him.
Police investigators are carrying out forensic testing of remains found near Port MacDonnell on January 26.
The discovery followed speculation Mr Craw had died as a result of a great white shark attack, however the family believes Duncan was at peace before the animal arrived.
“Tay didn’t see a struggle in the water and there was no big disturbance to the surface, or birds flying around, so we believe Duncan had a medical episode first before the shark came,” Mr Trigg said.
“His own dad passed away from a heart attack in his early 40s and so it’s always been in Duncan’s mind that something similar could happen to him.
“He’d had a health check just three weeks ago and was healthy, but it’s one of those things that is hard to predict, especially for someone young.
“Because of the conditions and that there was no big disturbance, we believe it’s most likely he passed away in the water before the shark came along.”
Mr Trigg said the family may never know what happened but the last thing it wanted was for people to be fearful of the ocean.
“Tay and Levi are going to keep going to the beach as usual and they’ll be going back to that beautiful spot at Port MacDonnell where they last saw Duncan swimming off to do
something he loved.”
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/duncans-legacy-for-levi to support the Craw family.
