The tradie who died in a tragic accident under a house last week was a much-loved big game angler known for his love of the sport while enjoying a VB.
Father-of-two, Grant Kime, 53, was reported missing on Thursday when he never returned home from an address on Lackersteen St in Callala Bay on the NSW south coast.
Emergency services eventually found his body under a house in the quiet seaside town, with witnesses revealing he was still holding the tensioned cable that killed him.
SafeWork NSW has since launched an investigation into the tragedy, with NSW Police investigating his final moments to deliver a report to the coroner.
Now his distraught friends have spoken of their horror at their partner’s sudden death and the impact of losing a “big stupid dude” and fishing legend.
Mr. Kime – who ran the local company Callala Electrical – is survived by his wife Lynette and their two daughters Mia and Eve, who are supported by his fellow fishermen.
The family had only recently returned from a dream vacation to Broome in Western Australia.
The tradie who died in a tragic accident under a house last week was beloved big game fisherman Grant Kime (pictured with his wife Lynette), known for his love of the sport
Emergency services (pictured) found his body under a house in Callala Bay on the NSW south coast, with witnesses revealing he was still holding the power cable that killed him.
Grant Kime was a beloved figure in the sea fishing industry, who loved the sport and was rarely depicted without a can or stub of VB in his hand.
The self-employed electrician was a lifelong fisherman who was featured in two landmark videos about his passion for land fishing that inspired many.
But he was equally known for his love of VB – and was rarely pictured without a can or stump in his hand, which his friends regularly made fun of.
“To say we are all devastated is an understatement,” said his friend Guy Jamieson. “We’ve all lost one of the best guys out there.
“I hope they have VB up there, big guy.”
Video maker Phil Atkinson said news of the tragedy was “heartbreaking.” The pair had first met in the late 1980s when he found him out fishing on the rocks of Jervis Bay.
“He was an excellent fellow for many years and a good friend of mine,” Mr Atkinson told the Daily Mail Australia.
Grant was a great waterman – he was a complete fisherman who could fish anywhere and anything, and also a great surfer who could read the water perfectly.
“He was just a very sincere man and so helpful to others. I looked back at our movies and you could see that he was always trying to help others in the background.
He was never elitist and was always ready for newcomers to the sport. He was just a top shelf guy. My heart just goes out to his family he adored.”
He added: ‘His love for VB was legendary – it was a running joke among his friends…but to be honest, I’m not sure he really liked it that much!
“He was just a real blue Aussie larrikin.”
Pal Glenn Ross added: ‘The whole fishing community is in mourning and we are all thinking about (his) family.’
“He was a super nice guy and starred in both movies that turned me into a land-based hunter,” said friend David Verret.
Close friend Mark Crompton has been comforting Kime’s family in the wake of the tragedy and paid tribute to his friend in a series of social media posts over the weekend.
His friends shared photos of him catching spectacular fish such as marlin, swordfish and bonito, as well as his beloved smaller bream.
“What a legend, after seeing him land that cobia on the Landbased Addiction video, it inspired me to go hit those north shore ridges,” a friend posted on Facebook.
“Thanks for inspiring me Grant, rest in peace.”
The self-employed electrician was a lifelong fisherman who made two groundbreaking videos about his passion for land fishing, inspiring many
He was equally well known for his love of VB Beer – and was rarely pictured without a can or stump in his hand, which his friends regularly poked fun at
He was also known for his sassy online chat with memes shared in private messages and group chats in which he lashed out at sporting rivals.
Another added: ‘Great fish and an all round top bloke.
“The world needs more people like Kimey. Deeply sad news. A unique individual and a tragic loss.
Rest in peace Kimey. You will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know you.’
Mr. Kime was also known for his sassy online chats with memes shared in private messages and group chats in which he lashed out at sporting rivals.
“I’ll miss the chatter,” Mr Crompton admitted. “He will be greatly missed by all who know and love him.”
NSW police say there are no suspicious circumstances.