The boy has reportedly been identified as Kaison Greaves, who was on vacation in the town of South West Rocks in Australia
Loved ones of a 9-year-old boy who died after getting trapped between rocks at a beach in Australia on Easter Sunday are now sharing emotional tributes
The boy has been identified as Kaison Greaves, of Queensland, who was on vacation with his family, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported
“Our hearts are broken,” the family said in a statement to the outlet
The family of a 9-year-old boy who died after getting stuck between rocks at a beach in Australia on Easter Sunday is now speaking out about the son they lost.
On Sunday, April 20, at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time, emergency services were called to the town of South West Rocks on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales following reports that “a 9-year-old boy had gotten stuck between rocks off the shoreline,” police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“A multi-agency operation — including officers from Mid North Coast Police District, NSW Fire and Rescue and Surf Life Savers NSW — took place to work to extricate the boy from the rocks; however, he died at the scene,” authorities added, confirming an investigation was underway “to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The victim has since been identified as Kaison Greaves, of Queensland, who had been on vacation with his family, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.
His family said in a statement to the outlet, “Kai was larger than life. Apparently to [sic] much for this world.
“He was an adventurer, strong-willed and incredibly funny, and always had a cheeky grin,” the boy’s family continued.
“He was an amazing big brother and his brother says is it raining because the angels are crying for Kaison. Our hearts are broken,” they said, according to ABC.
The outlet also reported that hundreds of people had gathered to honor Kaison at South West Rocks on Tuesday, April 22, and Kaison’s mom, Brook, then thanked attendees in an emotional post shared on Facebook on Wednesday, April 23.
“To each and every one of those involved in trying to save our boy, we are so forever grateful he was not alone in his last moments and we know you did everything you could,” Brook wrote in a post on the South West Rocks Facebook page.
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She went on to share memories about her son.
“He brought [color] to my life, I always called him my sun and his brother my moon,” she wrote. “You all know Kai was an adventurer. But what you don’t know is that there was no telling him what to do. He was a free spirit collecting experiences.”
Kaison’s mom called him a “a cyclone of chaos and love. He always was walking 10 steps in front of us, always in a rush, always wanting to go fast and always keeping us on our toes”
She wrote that he wanted to become a race car driver when he got older and his favorite colors were orange and yellow because of his love for Sonic the Hedgehog.
“While we navigate life without him, please know that you have turned a place of sorrow for us, into a place of love, and we will never forget what you have done to help us,” she wrote. ‘We will be back when we have the strength [to]. For now, hold your loved ones close and tell them you love every moment you get.”
Police said in a statement to PEOPLE that a report about the incident will be prepared for the coroner.
Inspector Peter Walton, from the Mid North Coast Police District, said, “I can only imagine what the family was going through watching it all unfold … it was a very difficult situation for all that were there,” according to the ABC.
“Indications are that he was just playing on the rocks, and probably a number of kids play on those rocks every day,” Walton added, speculating that “being wedged [between rocks] with the waves coming in,” may be a factor in establishing how Kaison died.
“I’d say be careful and don’t go out beyond your means, but obviously kids will be kids and have fun and this is just a tragic situation,” the inspector said.
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