Kayla Stubbs woke up to a text message no partner ever wants to receive.
It read: “There’s been an accident.”
The 22-year-old is the girlfriend of Louis Eeles, who tragically died alongside his best friend Matthew Farr on Sunday when their 4WD plunged off a cliff north of Geraldton, in Western Australia.
They had been camping with a group of six friends at a remote beach in Perth’s Midwest region, about 10km north of Horrocks Beach.
The two inseparable friends decided to go for a drive with another mate late at night, but at about 3.40am on Sunday, tragedy struck when Mr Farr’s Nissan Patrol went off a cliff.
One of the young men survived the fall, but Mr Farr and Mr Eeles died at the scene.
“I found out by one of his mates who found them at the scene,” a heartbroken Ms Stubbs told news.com.au.
“He messaged me at 7am saying ‘there’s been an accident’. As soon as I woke up and saw it, I called Louis’ dad and said ‘something is wrong’.”
The pair were later told by police that the two friends had passed away.
Louis’ mother and brother were in England at the time and got the first flight home.
“It’s been very hard,” Ms Stubbs told news.com.au.
“He and Matt were just so close – they did everything together and spent almost every weekend together.”
She said everyone who knew them has been deeply affected by their tragic loss.
“Everyone has just come together – the whole [Geraldton] community.”
Ms Stubbs, who began dating Mr Eeles, 22, after graduating from high school four years ago, described him as having a “cheeky” and “infectious” personality.
“Louis had such a big heart and was always happy, he would do anything for anyone,” she said.
“He loved life and he lived it to his absolute fullest. He loved all his friends and his favourite things to do were freediving, 4WD, camping, travelling, fishing and spending time with his loved ones.”
Ms Stubbs said he also worked very hard to get to where he was, with the 22-year-old having just started his apprenticeship to become a refrigeration technician.
“He was so talented and intelligent,” she said of Mr Eeles. ”And he was so proud of his achievements.
“He was my biggest supporter and my rock, he always went out of his way to show me how much he loved me and always brought out the best in me.”
Ms Stubbs said she was due to go on the camping trip, but Mr Eeles insisted she stay home to catch up with friends before starting a new job.
“I’ve just graduated from uni in nursing which he supported me throughout all of that. I was due to start a new job and wanted to catch up with all my uni friends before we all went our separate ways.
“I told Louis I wanted to come on the trip with him too, but he insisted I stay and see the girls and he always wanted me to go to the markets on Sunday,” she laughed. “He loved the markets and he hadn’t been in so long so he insisted I go.”
The young nursing graduate described the past four years with Mr Eeles as the best years of her life.
“Louis was my everything, he was the love of my life and I don’t know where I see myself without him,” she said.
Leigh Fulker, a workmate and friend of Mr Farr’s, said “the world is a worse place without him in it”.
“I spoke to him that night. I was having a few friends over in Perth and wanted to see if he was around,” he told The West Australian.
“He was just such a generous, selfless person. I only knew him for a couple of years, but my life is better off for the time he was in it.”
Friends of the boys have flooded their Facebook pages expressing their shock over the tragedy and leaving messages of condolences to their families.
“Taken from us too soon. Rest in peace Louis and Matt,” one person wrote.
Another shared fond memories of Mr Eeles.
“I worked with Louis while he was in the US for the Sea Cadet program. He was actually in my tour group in NYC. He was a joy to have, quick with a joke always smiling. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.”
Another devastated friend added: “Taken from us too soon bro. Absolutely shocked to hear this news. It was only the other day I was talking to you about that massive big HiLux of yours and how much of a hard time your giving the copper for it. Will miss you heaps bro.”
Ms Stubbs said that her heart also “breaks for Matt’s family during this time”.
“Louis always considered Matt as one of his best friends and when they were together nothing else mattered.
“Louis and Matt will be forever missed. Their lives were taken too soon.”