A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the small community of North Nowra on the NSW South Coast with the death of six-year-old Airlie Montgomery.
The young girl was found dead in a waterway beneath a bushwalking cliff just hours after being reported missing.
The Last Moments Before Airlie Went Missing
Airlie, who was last seen around 2:15 pm on Sunday, went missing while playing near The Grotto Walk, a popular hiking spot with breathtaking cliff-top views.
Her home was just a short distance from the edge of the cliff, which led to concerns about her safety.
Airlie was non-verbal and had several medical conditions, which made her disappearance even more alarming.
Police immediately began a search, and tragically, after four long hours, a body believed to be Airlie’s was discovered in the waterway below.
A Close-Knit Community’s Efforts to Find Airlie
A neighbor, Cathy, who was one of the last people to see Airlie, spoke about the tragedy.
She described the little girl as a happy and loving child, always smiling and blowing kisses, but said that on this particular day, Airlie had been crying for reasons no one knew.
Cathy and many other locals from the community rallied together to search for the missing girl.
It was later discovered that Airlie likely wandered off and fell over the edge of the cliff.
The heartbreaking cause of death was revealed to be a broken neck.
The Heartbreaking Grief of Airlie’s Family
Airlie’s father, Corey Montgomery, was seen visiting the school where his daughter attended, holding a small bunch of pink flowers in memory of his little girl.
Airlie’s mother, Katie Amess, was too devastated to speak about her daughter’s tragic loss, unable to express her grief through tears as she was comforted by a neighbor.
More flowers have been left at the family’s home as the community mourns the loss of such a young life.
The Community Comes Together in Support
Locals, including Krishnan, who had joined the search efforts, expressed their sadness and solidarity with Airlie’s family.
Krishnan shared how he had seen the little girl running along a housing estate that morning and later sat in quiet reflection, praying for her.
The search continued with helicopters overhead, and as night fell, the grim discovery was made.
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White described Nowra as a “town in mourning,” urging families to hold their loved ones close.
Many people took to social media to express their grief, with comments describing the loss as “unfair” and “incredibly sad,” sending condolences to Airlie’s family and friends.
Support for Airlie’s School Community
The NSW Department of Education also expressed its sorrow, offering support to Airlie’s schoolmates and staff.
A statement was released saying, “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family and all those affected.”
The department assured the community that continued support would be available for anyone struggling with the loss.
A report is expected to be prepared for the coroner to determine the official cause of death.
For now, the community is left to mourn a young life lost far too soon, as they remember the joy that Airlie brought to everyone around her.