Devastated dad’s tribute to toddler who drowned after falling from family boat

The devastated father of a three-year-old girl who tragically drowned after falling off the family’s boat last Tuesday has shared a heartbreaking tribute on social media.

Zeinobiyah Soetekouw, nicknamed ‘Zobbie’ by her parents Steve and Beccie, was reportedly playing with her siblings on the boat near the town of Brooklyn, north of Sydney, when she fell into the water. The young girl – one of the youngest of 11 siblings – was transported to Westmead hospital in Sydney in a critical condition but was sadly pronounced dead after arriving.

Now the father has posted an emotional poem in tribute to his daughter on his Instagram account, alongside an image of the three-year-old.

“To our Desert Flower,” he wrote. “Like a Desert Flower, our heart emerges from harsh domain. And like that flower, it cannot blossom until deep roots have grown.

“And in order to grow, it needs reach out, blindly through the darkest depths. Discovering along the way, water, that soothes dryness of the soil.”

He signed off the poem with: “All my Love … Dad.”

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Many users have since sent through their condolences to the family, with one writing: “So deeply deeply sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you all.”

Another added: “I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet little angel. She has been in my thoughts.”

According to multiple reports, the family from Tasmania had been travelling on their seven-metre boat, the Sumbawa, for two years. However, the boat has since been seized by police following the tragic incident.

The dad’s moving post comes just days after photographer Alex Vaughan, who has been following the family’s journey for the last year, paid tribute to the young girl on social media with a touching post, calling Zobbie a “vibrant and cheeky little love”.

“This week has been one of great sadness and community solidarity,” the photographer wrote. “As you may have heard, three-year-old Zeinobiyah, Beccie and Steve’s second youngest child of eleven, drowned in a tragic accident on Tuesday.

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“I have been documenting the Soetekouw’s and their life aboard Sumbawa for the last year and I know that many of you have been following along with their journey.”

The post added: “As you can understand, this has been a very difficult time for the family. They have shown enormous bravery in the wake of their heartache. They are extremely grateful for all of the support, and also just need some privacy to grieve at the moment.”

Vaughan has since setup a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral costs and welfare costs, which has raised almost $5,000 for the family.

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