Kayla Stubbs woke as much as a textual content message no associate ever needs to obtain.
It learn: “There’s been an accident.”
The 22-year-old is the girlfriend of Louis Eeles, who tragically died alongside his greatest pal Matthew Farr on Sunday when their 4WD plunged off a cliff north of Geraldton, in Western Australia.
That they had been tenting with a gaggle of six mates at a distant seaside in Perth’s Midwest area, about 10km north of Horrocks Seaside.
The 2 inseparable mates determined to go for a drive with one other mate late at evening, however at about 3.40am on Sunday, tragedy struck when Mr Farr’s Nissan Patrol went off a cliff.
One of many younger males survived the autumn, however Mr Farr and Mr Eeles died on the scene.
“I discovered by one among his mates who discovered them on the scene,” a heartbroken Ms Stubbs instructed information.com.au.
“He messaged me at 7am saying ‘there’s been an accident’. As quickly as I awoke and noticed it, I referred to as Louis’ dad and mentioned ‘one thing is incorrect’.”
The pair had been later instructed by police that the 2 mates had handed away.
Louis’ mom and brother had been in England on the time and obtained the primary flight house.
“It’s been very laborious,” Ms Stubbs instructed information.com.au.
“He and Matt had been simply so shut – they did every part collectively and spent nearly each weekend collectively.”
She mentioned everybody who knew them has been deeply affected by their tragic loss.
“Everybody has simply come collectively – the entire [Geraldton] group.”
Ms Stubbs, who started courting Mr Eeles, 22, after graduating from highschool 4 years in the past, described him as having a “cheeky” and “infectious” character.
“Louis had such a giant coronary heart and was all the time completely satisfied, he would do something for anybody,” she mentioned.
“He cherished life and he lived it to his absolute fullest. He cherished all his mates and his favorite issues to do had been freediving, 4WD, tenting, travelling, fishing and spending time together with his family members.”
Ms Stubbs mentioned he additionally labored very laborious to get to the place he was, with the 22-year-old having simply began his apprenticeship to turn out to be a refrigeration technician.
“He was so proficient and clever,” she mentioned of Mr Eeles. ”And he was so happy with his achievements.
“He was my greatest supporter and my rock, he all the time went out of his option to present me how a lot he cherished me and all the time introduced out one of the best in me.”
Ms Stubbs mentioned she was resulting from go on the tenting journey, however Mr Eeles insisted she keep house to meet up with mates earlier than beginning a brand new job.
“I’ve simply graduated from uni in nursing which he supported me all through all of that. I used to be resulting from begin a brand new job and wished to meet up with all my uni mates earlier than all of us went our separate methods.
“I instructed Louis I wished to return on the journey with him too, however he insisted I keep and see the ladies and he all the time wished me to go to the markets on Sunday,” she laughed. “He cherished the markets and he hadn’t been in so lengthy so he insisted I am going.”
The younger nursing graduate described the previous 4 years with Mr Eeles as one of the best years of her life.
“Louis was my every part, he was the love of my life and I don’t know the place I see myself with out him,” she mentioned.
Leigh Fulker, a workmate and pal of Mr Farr’s, mentioned “the world is a worse place with out him in it”.
“I spoke to him that evening. I used to be having a number of mates over in Perth and wished to see if he was round,” he instructed The West Australian.
“He was simply such a beneficiant, selfless particular person. I solely knew him for a few years, however my life is healthier off for the time he was in it.”
Buddies of the boys have flooded their Fb pages expressing their shock over the tragedy and leaving messages of condolences to their households.
“Taken from us too quickly. Relaxation in peace Louis and Matt,” one particular person wrote.
One other shared fond reminiscences of Mr Eeles.
“I labored with Louis whereas he was within the US for the Sea Cadet program. He was really in my tour group in NYC. He was a pleasure to have, fast with a joke all the time smiling. My ideas and prayers are with you and the household.”
One other devastated pal added: “Taken from us too quickly bro. Completely shocked to listen to this information. It was solely the opposite day I used to be speaking to you about that huge huge HiLux of yours and the way a lot of a tough time your giving the copper for it. Will miss you lots bro.”
Ms Stubbs mentioned that her coronary heart additionally “breaks for Matt’s household throughout this time”.
“Louis all the time thought-about Matt as one among his greatest mates and after they had been collectively nothing else mattered.
“Louis and Matt can be perpetually missed. Their lives had been taken too quickly.”