The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed that a Sunshine Coast man has died in a tragic accident in France.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family of Matthew Bustin, who died in a BASE jumping accident.
“Over the last few days we have found out the heart-breaking news that our friend Matthew Bustin has died in an accident in the mountains in France,” the fundraiser created by Jarad Hoeksema says.
“Matthew’s family is now left with the arduous and expensive task of getting Matt and his belongings home. This fundraiser is designed to help ease the financial stress for Matthew’s family.”
A DFAT spokesperson confirmed Mr Bustin’s tragic death.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in France,” they said.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
Mr Bustin’s Facebook profile says he attended Nambour Christian College.
Friend Monique Mears took to social media to share her grief.
“To sum a man up in a Facebook post that crammed so much into life in such a short amount of time … impossible,” she said.
“On the weekend just past, we tragically lost Bustin to a BASE jump that he had been excited for. To an extreme sport that he based his whole life around. I think the only comfort we have is knowing not only was it instant, but he left us doing what he lived for.
“His family are currently trying to bring him home from France and the costs I’m sure you can imagine are through the roof and a lot for any family to bear so a GoFundMe has been created to help them out as much as possible as the loss is hard enough.
“If you have anything to spare, even the smallest amount helps. The response has already been overwhelming and we can’t thank everyone enough who has already helped out.”
BASE is an acronym that stands for buildings, antennas, spans and earth.
The fundraising campaign has raised more than $14,000 since it started yesterday. To donate click here.
