Sam Colback remembered as ‘much-loved’ adventurer who died doing what he loved in tragic snorkelling accident

Spending time in the outdoors and enjoying the simple things in life were what Albany’s Sam Colback loved doing. The 24-year-old is believed to have died while snorkelling near Muttonbird Island after embarking on one of his regular camping trips in the Great Southern last week. His mother Lisa said her “much-loved” son went camping on Wednesday, November 29 but, tragically, never returned home. His body was spotted by a member of the public who alerted police, and was recovered on Monday off Muttonbird Island, which Ms Colback said was one of his favourite spots to “be free”. “We are not entirely sure of the time line but he went on Wednesday with some plan of camping,” she said. “It was not uncommon for him to go on these trips, live off the land and catch food as he went. “He just loved to be free and hated society’s normality.” Mr Colback is believed to have drowned and police say from initial investigations, his death appears to be non-suspicious. Police are preparing a report for the Coroner. “He was snorkelling and loved to deep dive in that channel. Muttonbird was one of his favourite spots,” Ms Colback said. “The water was his second home. He grew up fishing, diving and spearfishing so he spent a lot of time in, on and under the water and he was out there enjoying it again.” Ms Colback said her son had been a support worker for years but had held several other jobs. However, his free spirit and enthusiasm for life had him constantly on the move. “He had done unpaid support work for years and was always putting others first,” she said. “Sam was very caring and always thinking about others. He had a big heart for those who were forgotten or unloved and was all about the people in the street. “He busked on the street and travelled a fair bit, spending time in different communities like Perth, Fremantle, Adelaide and Albany. The Colbacks moved from Mukinbudin to Albany 19 years ago and Ms Colback and her husband Phil are the proud parents of 13 children. There has been an outpouring of tributes on social media, and Ms Colback said they had been overwhelmed by support from the Albany community. “We are seeing the impact Sam had on others,” she said. “We know him the best but to realise the impact he had on people outside of our family is just incredible. “People we don’t even know are reaching out and saying Sam was the first person to reach out to them and show them around when they came to town. “They are just broken by the news. “We are trying to hold together. It’s tough with the younger ones but we want everyone to grieve well. “Our biggest support has been the Oceans Church community and we were reluctant but very humbled by the GoFundMe page… we understand it helps others be on the journey with us. “There is a meal trail going and we have meals booked in until January and I just haven’t got words for that. It’s really heartwarming.” A GoFundMe page set up to help pay for funeral costs had on Friday raised more than $7000 in just two days. As Christmas approaches, Ms Colback said her family were aware how tough it would be without Sam around and she said it was a feeling they unfortunately knew too well. “Christmas has always been a really challenging time for us,” she said. “We lost our first little boy on Christmas Eve on our way to Albany, so Christmas has been a bittersweet time for us. “But we know where our strengths are, and feel comforted. “We have walked this walk before and we will honour Sam’s memory.”