Girlfriend of Australian man who fell overboard pays tribute
Aussie girlfriend who fell overboard from cruise ship breaks her silence with heartbreaking message – revealing her devastation as search is called off: ‘They should have kept looking’
- Warwick Tollemache, 35, fell off a cruise ship
- Search for missing man from Brisbane called off
- His girlfriend has since paid tribute to the man
The girlfriend of an Australian man who fell overboard from a cruise ship in the US says she is devastated that the search for him has been called off.
Warwick Tollemache, 35, of Brisbane was previously identified as the man who fell late Tuesday night from the Quantum of the Seas into the Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands.
Now Celina La Roche, who dated Mr Tollemache for six years, has paid tribute to her partner in a heartbreaking post.
She wrote, “I love you, always have and always will. RIP my love.’
Her comments came shortly after a massive air and sea search by the US Coast Guard was called off on Friday.
Warwick Tollemache (pictured left) of Brisbane has been named as the man who went overboard from a cruise ship. His girlfriend paid tribute
It fell late Tuesday night from the Quantum of the Seas in the Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands.
She also told the Courier Mail: ‘They should have kept looking – I don’t understand why they stopped looking.
‘I’m just devastated.
“We were cruising the South Pacific last month and I was supposed to move in with him.
“I was still hoping until I heard they’d called off the search and now…he could still be living in the middle of nowhere.
“I personally won’t have closure until they find him. He knows how to float in the water, we did that together when we were snorkelling.’
The U.S. Coast Guard spent a day searching the ocean for Mr. Tollemache from the sea and air before the search was called off.
Large nightly swells have hampered the frantic search, making the search “almost impossible.”
Celina wrote in a heartbreaking post, “I love you, always have and always will. RIP my love’
Warwick Tollemache (pictured) is remembered by his family as a kind, beautiful and gentle soul who was adored by all
The decision came after discussions with Mr Tollemache’s family and the Australian Consulate.
They also shared a tribute to Mr. Tollemache after the search was called off.
“Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick,” they said in a statement.
“He was a kind, beautiful and gentle soul who was adored by all who knew him. He will be sorely missed.’
We kindly ask for your privacy at this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding.’
The sad news that the search had been called off led to an outpouring of tributes.
“I will miss you dearly my friend my brother my heart hurts so much knowing I won’t see you again or give you a hug,” one friend posted.
Quantum of the Seas crew launched a desperate search (pictured) after Warwick Tollemache went overboard before continuing her journey later
A friend of the family added: ‘He left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him and he will live on in all of us. My heart breaks… for you, for him, for your very beautiful family. He will be missed so much.’
“The Coast Guard has made the difficult decision to suspend the active search for the passenger aboard the Quantum of the Seas,” search and rescue mission coordinator Kevin Cooper said in a statement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is providing assistance to Mr. Tollemache’s family.
The Australian Consulate General in Honolulu is working closely with local authorities.
“We recognize the continued need for the man’s family and loved ones.”