💔 LILY HOOPER’S HEARTBROKEN DAD SPEAKS OUT — HIS FINAL WISH FOR THE “FEARLESS” 18-YEAR-OLD IS JUST 7 WORDS… AND THEY’RE LEAVING MANY HEARTBROKEN
‘It’s just so sad that she’s gone. I feel blessed we had her in our lives for a time.’
The heartbroken father of teenage hiker Lily Hooper has made an emotional plea to the NSW Premier for a special tribute to his daughter, who died during a solo bushwalk in the Nattai National Park.
In the rugged bushland of Oakdale where Lily grew up, her parents Jim and Kirrily and little brother Charlie are grappling with their devastating loss.
“It’s just so sad that she’s gone. I feel blessed we had her in our lives for a time,” Jim Hooper said.
The 18-year-old was described by her father as unstoppable and fearless.
“She just loved the outdoors. She just had so many skills that, you know, we tried to install in her. Yeah, she was just a clever kid who wasn’t afraid to take anything on. That was her free spirit,” he said.
Ten days ago, when Lily set off in the Nattai National Park, south-west of Sydney, Jim and Kirrily tried not to worry. The third of their four children had managed a three-day hike of Mount Kosciuszko at Easter.
“I was always concerned about her going out,” Jim said.
When no-one heard from Lily by nightfall, panic set in. For the next eight days and nights, the Hoopers and the rest of the state waited.
Then came that cruel moment when they were told Lily had been found alive in a communication bungle.
Jim was asked if he was angry at police, he responded: “No, not at all. I’m not in any way angry at the police or the police commissioner or the premier.”
The family now says other young people can learn from Lily.
“She will leave a legacy, I hope, for girls, young girls, you know, to get out and about and enjoy, you know, life like she did,” Jim said.
And they’d like Premier Chris Minns to keep their daughter’s memory alive just a little longer.
“If Chris Minns could organise probably to get the flag put at half-mast for her,” Jim said.
“Oh, just as a tribute to Lily. You know, like I say, she’s an advocate for young women.”
Lily’s family is now waiting for the coroner to work out exactly how and when she died. But while they wait for answers, they say they’re planning a rock star send-off for the girl who threw everything at life.
“She wanted to be famous as a movie star. She became famous, not for the right reason, but yeah, so she got that wish,” Jim said.
SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/grieving-fathers-heartfelt-plea-to-nsw-premier-after-losing-daughter-lily-hooper-in-nattai-national-park-hiking-tragedy-c-22763604