Donations pour in for Canadian killed in tragic dingo attack in Australia
People online are showing their support for a young tourist from Canada who died in a tragic dingo attack in Australia.
Piper James, a 19-year-old from Canada, had been in Australia working at a backpackers’ hostel with friend Taylor Stricker while saving up to backpack along the coast. At 6:35 a.m. local time, on Jan. 19, police were called to the beach on K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island.
The Canadian’s body was discovered by two men who were driving past the beach. They said they saw a pack of about 10 dingoes surrounding her, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. ABC News reports that eight of the dingoes have since been euthanized. The Queensland Government describes dingoes as apex predators and wild animals that “can be dangerous.”
Nearly two months after the B.C. teen’s death, authorities have revealed her cause of death.
GoFundMe
In a statement shared with Daily Hive, a spokesperson for the Coroners Court of Queensland stated, “Piper died as a result of drowning in the setting of multiple injuries, due to, or as a consequence of a dingo attack. The investigation into Piper’s death is ongoing, and no further information can be provided at this time.”
James’s uncle, Chad Blair, has set up a GoFundMe to help the family with the celebration of life and funeral costs.
According to Blair, his niece was an athlete, a dirt bike rider, a snowboarder, and a seasonal firefighter. She also loved animals and spent a lot of time outdoors hiking, snowboarding, and surfing.
GoFundMe
“When the girls first left for Australia, we told them to always call, that there were no problems we couldn’t face together, and that safety was the most important thing,” wrote Blair. “This isn’t how this was meant to play out, but what has happened cannot be undone. It cannot be fixed. But we can honour Piper, her free spirit, her kindness, and her way of moving through the world.”
As of March 6, the GoFundMe campaign has raised $40,804 out of its $45,000 goal.
With files from Isabelle Docto