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The wife of Robert Holden, the third man identified as being killed in the Boxing Day boat tragedy on Queensland's Moreton Bay, has opened up about her heartbreak.
Robert and Queensland rugby identities Stephen Tait and David "Mario" Logan all died when their boat flipped with 11 aboard on Tuesday during their annual fishing trip.
Wife Michelle Holden shared new details about how the tragedy unfolded, including what she said would have been his last act, trying to help save his mates.
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"I have no doubt my husband has gone down to try with Stephen to wrangle the boat and to help," she said, over the phone.
"He really was a hero."
She said Robert rang from the upturned vessel and told her, "I don't know if you can hear me, we're in trouble".
Michelle called the coastguard, who found the boat in darkness, capsized by wild weather near Green Island, east of Brisbane.
Water police and the Queensland Maritime Authority said they would begin the salvage operation to recover the stricken vessel tomorrow.
The other eight men on board were rescued from the water and taken to Manly Harbour with non-life-threatening injuries.
"I can't even face and feel the fact he's just not coming home," Michelle told 9News.
The couple had been together for 25 years and married for 19, in a relationship others labelled "a fairytale".
"He is the rock of our family so I am trying to be strong," she said.
Robert's family said he was a businessman who had just launched a new venture, remembering him as charitable, a doting dad and a loving husband.
"He always helped everyone else and put himself last. He was an amazing father," Michelle said.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up to help the family.
Loved ones of the other two victims also paid tribute following their losses.
Tait's daughter posted a message on social media.
"My beautiful Dad, there is no one like you," she wrote
"Thank you for touching so so many hearts.
"I don't know one person who didn't love you as soon as they met you."
She said "the most selfless person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing" died while "saving the lives of everyone else on board".
"Luckily his spirit is with one of his best mates," she said, referring to Logan.
The Queensland rugby community is planning to hold a memorial for them in January.
