Troy Broadbridge

[stewarth21]

I know its only one person where 150,000+ have died but this story puts a name and a face to the tragedy


Nation mourns for AFL star
By Julie Tullberg
January 3, 2005

THE AFL community is mourning the death of Melbourne defender Troy Broadbridge, whose body was found by his father Wayne in Thailand today.


Tragedy ... Troy Broadbridge with his wife Trisha at their wedding only last month

Broadbridge, 24, had been missing off the coast of Thailand's Phi Phi Island since giant tsunami tidal waves hit South-East Asia on Boxing Day.

Since his disappearance, Broadbridge's Melbourne teammates had been offered counselling to help them cope with the tragedy, and allow them to continue functioning with everyday life and football commitments.

Broadbridge's body will be brought back to Australia by his father.

His wife, Trisha, who has been in Bangkok hospital since the killer tsunami hit the island, will also return to Australia.

In a statement yesterday, Trisha said the couple had been walking along the coast to a scenic lookout when they first realised something was wrong.

"We walked along the rocks and as we hit the sand we noticed people staring out to sea," she said.

Trisha said the pair watched in amazement as the tide came in rapidly and when they realised it was going to keep on coming Troy suggested they jump onto the balcony of a beachside bungalow.

"The wave got bigger, Troy told me to keep my head above the water because at this stage we didn't realise the force and power it had," she said.

She said the powerful surge of water uprooted the bungalow in front of them which then hit her and she was swept away in the torrent.

"This was the last time I saw Troy," she said.

Melbourne Football Club chairman Paul Gardner said the news of Broadbridge's death was "an enormously sad blow to the Melbourne club."

"Just as Troy has become the face of the tsunami for so many people, so Troy was very much the face of the sort of character we admire at the club," Mr Gardner said.

"He had a strong family upbringing, showed great courage and spirit to overcome injury, and was generous to his fellow players and those around the club."

Mr Gardner said the whole club was working as a family, supporting each other and resolving to get through this tragedy together as a whole team of people.

"We've also been cognisant that while Troy is a very treasured part of the Club fabric, more importantly his passing has robbed Trisha of a husband, and his family the loss of a loved son and brother, just as it has so many thousands of others," Mr Gardner said.

"And our hearts go out to all those touched by this unfathomable tragedy."

Mr Gardner said Broadbridge, who played 40 games for Melbourne, would be remembered for his tenacity and dedication to the sport, his courage in overcoming setbacks, and his generosity of spirit with fellow players.

Senior coach Neale Daniher said it had been a tough time for the Club and was gut wrenching for everyone.

"It's a very close group and Troy was a popular fellow, and he and Trisha were well liked by players and their partners," Daniher said.

"Troy came back from injury a number of times with great spirit and courage, and in 2004 really cemented his place as a leading member of the Melbourne Club.

"Against that backdrop, and just getting married and being on his honeymoon, you just don't expect this and it's tremendously hard to accept. I know the hearts of all the players and everyone at the club go out to Trisha, and to Troy's parents Wayne and Pam and their family."

Club captain David Neitz said the miracle that everyone hoped for had slipped away.

"We've been hoping and praying that `Broadie' would be found and be OK, but the miracle hasn't happened and it cuts really, really deep," Neitz said.

"It's tough to train and play alongside someone, get to know him, go to his wedding and send him off on a Christmas honeymoon and then have to accept that he's not coming back.

"It's very tough on the players and partners and this will be a very emotional time for us. But as difficult as it is we will support each other and get through this. That's what Troy would have done and we want to support Trisha."

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou said the AFL, its 16 clubs and the entire football community wished to extend its deepest sympathy to Trisha, the Broadbridge family and the players and staff of the Melbourne Football Club following the death of Troy.

Troy was a young man in the prime of his life and had just embarked upon marriage with Trisha," Mr Demetriou said.

"His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him and the football community is poorer for the loss of a fine young man."

Mr Demetriou said the football community had been shocked by the devastation across so many countries and the loss of many thousands of lives.

"AFL football and our clubs will join the world wide aid effort to the victims in all countries with our response to be announced in the coming days, once all clubs have been consulted," he said. Broadbridge is the 13th confirmed Australian fatality from the tsunami disaster.

AAP
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_...55E421,00.html

That is so sad to hear... my heart goes out to his dad, his wife and thre rest of his family.

[N.Y. Johnny S]

thats such a horrible tragedy and this whole thing has been so terrible and the magnitude of this thing is awful.
at the very least Troy's family can at least say they finally found him and can bring him back home to rest. What a tragedy.