Tributes flood in for tragic death

Rueben Barnes as a young angler, he loved going fishing.

TRIBUTES for teenager Rueben Barnes have flooded into The Morning Bulletin.

Less than 24 hours after Rueben was tragically killed on Tuesday, as he installed ceiling insulation at a Stanwell home, people were phoning The Bully to say how well-liked the Rockhampton teen was.

Lionel Luckel employed Rueben as a tradesman 12 months ago. Rueben only changed jobs to be an insulation installer about three weeks ago.

In his 50 years in the industry, Mr Luckel said he very seldom saw “such exceptional talent in an apprentice”.

“I’m absolutely devastated,” he said.

“Rueben was a wonderful young man with a heart as big as Texas.

“He had the potential to become a truly exceptional tradesman. I have been in the building industry for 50 years and cannot recall ever working with anyone with this same potential.”

Family friend Steve McMahon said he’d “never met a nicer boy than that in all my entire life”.

“He was a gentleman, he helped everyone, he was kind,” Mr McMahon said.

“You just don’t meet kids like him anymore.”

Mr McMahon said Rueben was talented at everything he tried.

“He was just a loveable character, the best, nicest kid.”

Rueben’s friend, Nathan Storey, sent an email to The Bulletin.

“I don’t know why God would want to take a good soul like (Rueben’s). Rest in peace my good friend,” Nathan wrote.

“You will be sadly missed from all your friends and fishing mates.”

Deb and Leighton Cowly sent their love in an email:

“I would just like to let the Barnes family know that our thoughts and hearts are with them.

“They are a wonderful close family may they draw strength from each other, we will be thinking of them all.”

The Morning Bulletin is inviting people to pay tribute to Rueben at www.themorningbulletin.com. A full gallery of the Barnes family’s favourite photos of Rueben have been uploaded to the page and friends can send their messages to the family.