Community members have rallied around a grieving family after a young woman’s death on a popular hiking trail, sharing her final artwork as part of a fundraiser to support them through the tragedy.

The 18-year-old died and another young man was seriously injured after they fell from a mountain trail on Mt Beerwah on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Sunday morning.

The pair were part of a group of young people hiking together when the tragedy occurred.

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) confirmed the young woman died at the scene.

An 18-year-old man who fell with her was winched from the mountainside before being airlifted in a life-threatening condition to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

As of 11am on Tuesday, the young man remained in a critical condition.

A young woman has died and a young man is fighting for life after a fall from a slippery mountain trail.A young woman has died and a young man is fighting for life after a fall from a slippery mountain trail. Credit: 7NEWS Emergency services were called to the scene. Emergency services were called to the scene. Credit: 7NEWS

Four other hikers required assistance but were able to make their way safely from the mountain and did not require medical treatment.

Police said light rain had made the terrain “extremely slippery”, with investigators believing the fall may have been between 50m and 100m.

The track had been closed to the public following recent rain, with warnings issued not to use it ahead of its planned reopening on Monday.

Community support grows

Locals have launched an online fundraiser to help the young woman’s family with funeral costs and support them through their grief.

“As a community, we would like to support the family who tragically lost their young adult daughter, following a devastating accident,” the fundraiser reads.

“If you are able, please give what you can to support this family who are a treasured part of our community, and to assist them in their time of need.”

Organisers said identifying details had been withheld out of respect for the family’s privacy.

“Please rest assured that all monies raised will be provided directly to the family to support funeral costs and their healing journey,” organiser Katrina Davis said.

“A tragic loss has touched our community with the passing of a young woman on Mount Beerwah,” she wrote on Facebook.

“We’re coming together to support her family during this difficult time. Your kindness can make a difference in helping them through this heartbreaking period.

“Every bit of support helps us show they are not alone.”

Davis also asked people not to send flowers, saying the family has allergies.

Final artwork shared

Alongside the fundraiser, Davis shared an image of a painted rose created by the young woman, thanking people for their generosity.

“Thank you for the continuing generosity and support shown for the family,” she wrote.

“The beautiful graphic rose is the last hand painted artwork completed by the angel we remember.”

A painted rose shared by fundraiser organiser Katrina Davis, described as the young woman’s final hand-painted artwork.A painted rose shared by fundraiser organiser Katrina Davis, described as the young woman’s final hand-painted artwork. Credit: GoFundMe

Community members have continued sharing the fundraiser online as donations and messages of support grow.

More than $39,000 of the fundraiser’s $40,000 target was reached within two days.

Mt Beerwah has been the scene of multiple serious hiking incidents in recent years, including several fatal falls and major rescue operations on the steep summit route.

The latest tragedy has renewed calls for tougher restrictions or closures, with some questioning whether the mountain — frequently affected by slippery rock and rockfall after rain — should remain open to inexperienced climbers.

SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/community-rallies-after-mt-beerwah-tragedy-on-sunshine-coast-as-young-womans-final-artwork-shared-c-21968150