Hero dies saving his son

A GoFundMe campaign has been started for a father of three from Cork who died in Australia recently while heroically rescuing his son.

Cassan Cowman (49) of Donoughmore, county Cork drowned while rescuing his son after he slipped into water rapids in Queensland, northeast Australia.

The tragedy happened at around 2pm local time last Sunday when the family were enjoying a day out at Wappa Falls.

Mr Cowman bravely managed to push his son out of the water but he did not resurface. The body of the Irishman, who was known to his friends as Cass, was discovered later that evening.

Following the tragic accident, Mr Cowman’s wife Trish paid tribute to her husband who she described as a “fabulous father” who was passionate about politics and social justice.

“Our Irish and Australian families and friends are mourning the loss of Cassan, our father, husband, brother, friend. Last Sunday at Wappa Falls, Cassan jumped into the falls to rescue his son; he pushed him out of the water but was unable to save himself,” she said in a statement.

Mr Cowman’s wife continued: “Cassan moved from his beloved county Cork with his family to Australia 15 months ago and was in love with our beaches, blue skies and bushland, and went exploring with his family at every opportunity. Cassan was a fabulous father to his three children, dryly funny and very passionate about ethics, politics, social justice, and of course Ireland beating the All Blacks in Dublin.”

Originally from Donoughmore, Mr Cowman is survived by his wife Trish and their children Ormond (11), Ella (9), and Torin (7).

Friends of the heroic father have set up a GoFundMe page to assist his family and raise funds for his children’s education.

Tracey Anne Lutton, the organiser of the page, said: “Ormond, Ella and Torin were the apple of Cass’ eye and like any parent, he wanted the best for their futures. Cass was charismatic, Irish to a fault, but at the end of the day ultimately he simply loved his family.

“He was a devoted family man through and through, working day and night to provide for his family,” she said.

As of going to print, the GoFundMe campaign has received just under $40,000. To donate, visit gofundme.com/cowman-family-education.