Relatives of Queensland couple killed in light plane crash at Clarke Ranges break silence

The family of a couple who were expecting a baby girl before they died in a minor plane crash have revealed their daughter’s name.

Rhiley Kuhrt, 22, and his partner Maree, 24, set off from Natal Downs cattle station, south of Charters Towers in rural Queensland, on Sunday afternoon.

Their white-and-green Piper Cherokee failed to arrive at Lakeside Airpark, in Prosperine, later that day, prompting a frantic search by authorities before the wreckage was discovered on Monday.

The couple was due to have a baby girl in June and were on their way to a medical appointment at a local hospital in Prosperine.

Mr Kuhrt’s sister, Beccarah Markham-Gaudion, broke her silence on Tuesday and revealed the name her brother and his wife were considering for their baby girl.

She started a GoFundMe to raise money for their funerals and shared a photo of an ultrasound of the unborn baby.

“On Sunday, April 2, my brother Rhiley, his wife Maree and their beautiful unborn baby Phoebe were tragically killed while on a routine flight to see family,” she wrote.

“We are all absolutely heartbroken and utterly sad. 3 incredible lives were cut way too short.

“As we grieve and seek comfort in each other, we are asking for your help and support in covering the costs of the funerals of Rhiley, Maree, and Angel Baby Phoebe.”

Ms Markham-Gaudion thanked the community for their ‘continued support during this dark time in our lives’.

Mr Kuhrt had bought the plane just six months before it crashed Monday afternoon in remote bushland in the Clarke Ranges.

Last November, he revealed his plans to buy another plane to “match” his Piper Cherokee with Facebook friends.

Mr. Kuhrt posted a screenshot of a 1964 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche aircraft with a multi-engine propeller advertised online for $159,900.

“I need to set goals in life and my next goal to add to the pendant with my cherokee 180 is a piper twin comanche that looks good next to my cherokee,” the post read.

A friend joked that the avid aviator should buy a plane that fits a car.

“Haha, when I get a few million together, I’ll buy a big army truck that can carry a lot of cars,” Mr. Kuhrt replied.

Photos and videos from the couple’s social media pages have revealed that Mr. Kuhrt had a passion for flying, while his wife was an avid horsewoman.

The couple married last October and shared several photos of them kissing on a hillside and astride horses in a spacious paddock.

“My complete happiness,” Ms. Kuhrt captioned the photos.

Mr Kuhrt’s latest Facebook post was a video recording of one of his many flights over rural South West Queensland.

“Wick afternoon on the sorghum harvest and a little fun,” the message read.

In another video, Mr. Kuhrt is seen smiling and laughing for the camera before showing off a handful of dogs sitting patiently in the backseat.

The camera then pans down to the mountainous areas below the plane.

The couple were preparing for the arrival of their daughter after making the announcement to family and friends on Instagram in December.

They had celebrated a gender reveal party with loved ones in February.

Ms Kuhrt shared a video of her and her husband popping confetti to reveal the baby was a girl, while delighted friends and family looked on.

The mom-to-be posted her latest Instagram post on Saturday, sharing a selfie showing her growing baby bump.

Now 27 weeks! Getting closer to meeting the little girl,” she wrote.

Loved ones have expressed their shock and sadness at the news on social media.

“My heart breaks for you and your families, a few days ago we talked about how exciting it will be to raise our children together,” one person wrote.

“You really were a beautiful couple and deserved nothing but happiness, but that was suddenly taken away from you,” said another.

“You were soon to be parents. I will cherish the memories and moments we had together last year.”

Mr. Kuhrt is the son of a senior sergeant of the Mackay District Police Department and Chief Stockman and Pilot at Nerrigundah Station.

The desperate search for the missing couple was launched on Sunday by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

Two helicopters and a fixed-wing aircraft failed to find any trace of the missing plane on Monday night.

Bureau of Meteorology service forecaster Ricus Lombard said search teams had to contend with poor and wet conditions.

‘It’s getting less… (but the) potential with showers and storms. There’s also quite a bit of cloud cover,” Lombard said.

More to come