The distraught family of missing Brisbane pastor William Strickland have revealed his body has been found in the waters near Limpinwood in northern NSW.
Pastor Strickland, 53, was returning from a wedding rehearsal in Murwillumbah when he reportedly tried to cross a flooded causeway about 9.15pm on Saturday.
His damaged Toyota Hilux was found 400 meters downstream by search and rescue crews later that evening.
On Monday afternoon, the pastor's son, Cheonton Strickland, wrote on Facebook: “Praise God! Dad has been found.
'After a long and challenging search and rescue operation, Dad's body was recovered.'
After an extensive search by police, SES, family and members of his Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Strickland's body was found around noon today.
Tweed-Byron Police District Inspector Matt Woods said more than 170 people assisted in the search for Pastor Strickland.
“It just shows you the stature and the love that this gentleman has had in his community,” Inspector Woods told the ABC.
The distraught family of missing Brisbane pastor William Strickland (pictured) have revealed his body has been found in the waters near Limpinwood in northern NSW.
The search focused on an area several miles downstream of the causeway after an article of clothing was found there Monday morning.
Police coordinating the search described the circumstances at the time of the accident as “extreme.”
Storms and heavy rain drenched the area over the weekend, with some parts receiving 100mm of rain in just a few hours.
The beloved preacher is affiliated with a Cook Islands church in Annerley, on the south side of Brisbane.
His damaged Toyota Hilux (pictured) was found 400 meters downstream by search and rescue crews later that evening
Pastor Strickland, 53, was returning from a wedding rehearsal in Murwillumbah when he reportedly tried to cross a flooded causeway about 9.15pm on Saturday.
His son wrote on social media: 'We are shocked and devastated by this tragic loss. My father was a charismatic and beloved man who gave his life in the service and ministry of the gospel.
“He touched the lives of many people through his work as a minister with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in both Australia and New Zealand, and through his community work.”
The family said their father will be “dearly missed by everyone.” Our family will not be the same without him.
“While our hearts are deeply saddened by his death, we know we will see him again. How wonderful that morning will be when we all reunite in Jesus.”
Cheonton said the family wanted to “thank those who have eagerly prayed for this moment, and to those who have been here actively looking for Dad, especially our local church community, the NSW Police and SES.”
“It wasn't in vain,” he said.
Funeral arrangements for Pastor Strickland will be announced in the coming days.
