Today, in the first funeral of the Queensland flood victims, Donna Rice, 43, and her 13-year-old son Jordan were laid to rest. The mother and son were swept to their deaths when flash floods hit Brisbane suburb of Toowomba taking the death toll up to 26 so far.
The tragic deaths came as the family’s car became submerged by the floods last week. When rescuers reached the car, Jordan- who could not swim- heroically implored them to save his ten-year-old brother Blake first.
Consequently, Jordan’s heroic sacrifice meant that Blake was saved but tragically Jordan and his mother were carried away by the force of the torrents.
Mother and son were buried in the same grave in matching white coffins during a ceremony in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane today. Blake joined his father John Tyson and elder brother Chris, 22, and Kyle, 16, to bid a final farewell.
Jordan’s eldest brother Chris paid tribute to him calling him a “little hero” who “heart, courage and love” had made the family fiercely proud of the youngster. Chris also spoke of how he had teased Jordan- nicknamed Weedsy- for being scared of water as a child.
“You were so shy, always hanging off Mum,” he said. “You were petrified of water, heights and even the dark. How wrong was I – here you go losing your life from one of your biggest fears to save your little brother.
“You made me so proud. What you did took heart, courage and love.
“You’re my little hero. I love you Weedsy. You will always be missed mate but I take comfort in the fact that you’ve got Mum there with you, taking care of you.”
John Tyson, Jordan’s father also spoke of his love for his partner of 28 years Miss Rice as “the perfect mum.”
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