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Tragic detail revealed after Aussie man dies on bucks party

Jesse Youd is believed to have drowned while staying on a houseboat with mates on the Murray River.

Tara Meakins
Updated ·2-min read

Police have revealed a young father who died after falling into a river while celebrating a bucks party was missing for three hours before his friends realised he was gone.

The group had been staying on a houseboat on the Murray River near Mildura on the NSW and Victoria border when four of the men, including Jesse Youd, decided to head to shore late on Saturday night.

Unfortunately their dinghy capsized at about 11.30pm, sending all of them into the water.

Father-of-two Jesse Youd and his wife Sarah-Jayne (left) and the couple with their two sons (right).
Father-of-two Jesse Youd plunged into the water when the dinghy he was on capsized on Saturday night. Source: Facebook

“Officers from Barrier Police District have been told three of the men returned to the houseboat,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“About 2.40am [Sunday], emergency services were called to Dockside Drive, Mildura, after the group realised the 34-year-old man was missing.”

Desperate search ends in tragedy

A large multi-agency search was launched, involving both NSW and Victorian police and police divers, before a body was discovered on Monday at 1.25pm.

While the body is yet to be formally identified, police believe it is that of Mr Youd from Tasmania. A cause of death has also not been ruled but it’s suspected the father of two drowned.

The houseboat on the Murray River in Mildura where the men were celebrating a bucks party.
The group of men had been staying on a houseboat on the the Murray River as part of a bucks party. Source: Nine News

While officers from Barrier Police District are now preparing a report for the coroner it’s thought that alcohol was involved in the incident, Nine News reports.

Friends mourn ‘remarkable young man’

Mr Youd, who was reportedly due to be one of the groomsmen at his friend’s upcoming wedding, leaves behind his wife Sarah-Jayne and the couple’s two young boys, Dawson (4) and Casey (6).

Friends have taken to Facebook to pay tribute.

Jesse Youd and his wife Sarah-Jayne with their two boys.
Jesse Youd leaves behind his wife and two young boys. Source: Facebook

“It is with great sadness that we learnt of Jesse passing away at the weekend and offer our condolences to his wife and children,” Michael Plumbridge wrote online.

“Jesse was a remarkable young man, he will be sadly missed,” another said. “I still cannot believe it. Just heartbreaking.”

“A terrific young man taken way too soon,” someone else commented. “Can’t find the words,” said another.

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