'I wish I could have outlived you': Shattered mother of boy, 2, found dead in dam 100 metres from family home says she loves him 'to the moon and back' as she shares final photos of them together
- Mother of a two-year-old boy who was found dead has shared farewell statement
- Natasha Scott said she loved her son unconditionally in heartbreaking post
- The body of Ruben Scott was found by police divers on Friday about 3.30om
- The two-year-old was last seen near the Koolatah Station homestead on Tuesday
- Police told Ruben's family on Thursday they believed Ruben hadn't survived
The mother of a two-year-old boy who was found dead in a dam 100 metres from his home has shared their final photos together in a heartbreaking farewell post.
Ruben Scott was found by police divers in a large dam near his home in northern Queensland on Friday afternoon.
The toddler had been missing for four days after he disappeared near his Koolatah Station homestead, on the western side of Cape York Peninsula.
Natasha Scott, Ruben's shattered mother, paid tribute her son in an emotional Facebook update on Friday evening.
The mother of a two-year-old boy who was found dead in crocodile-infested waters has shared their final photos together in a heartbreaking farewell post
Ruben Scott was found by police divers in a large dam located near his home in northern Queensland on Friday afternoon about 3.30pm
'These are the very last photos and memories I'll ever have of you my son. I love you so incredibly much and I'll always have you in my heart,' she wrote.
'I never ever thought I'd have to make a status like this in my entire life, but this is what it's came to and I have to come to the realisation that you'll never be in my arms again.'
Ms Scott said her love for Ruben was 'unconditional' and it always would be.
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'I hope you'll be watching over me up there, I'll forever need your guidance,' she said.
'Fly high my son, I love you to the moon and back.
'I wish I could've outlived you. You'll be my forever and always.'
Natasha Scott, Ruben's shattered mother, remembered her son in an emotional Facebook update on Friday evening
The toddler had been missing for four days after he disappeared near the Koolatah Station homestead, on the western side of Cape York Peninsula on Tuesday afternoon
'I never ever thought I'd have to make a status like this in my entire life, but this is what it's came to and I have to come to the realisation that you'll never be in my arms again,' Ms Scott wrote about her son on Friday
The post has been flooded with comments of support and condolences from social media users across the country.
At a press conference on Friday evening, Chief Superintendent Brian Huxley said the tragedy had impacted all of Australia.
'The whole community is devastated,' he said.
'You can see the impact in a very modern sense with social media.
'This sort of thing goes right around the whole nation.
'People are sending their thoughts and condolences from right across the country and I can say the family do really appreciate the tremendous support.'
Chief Superintendent Brian Huxley revealed Ruben was found only 100 metres away. Pictured: crews working at the dam
Ruben's body was found by police divers in a large dam located near the homestead on Friday afternoon
Mr Huxley extended his gratitude to the search crews who were forced to cope with the grueling circumstances.
The search included helicopters, police divers, heat-seeking drones, horses, motorbikes and SES volunteers trawling through the 170,000-hectare station.
'As are all the people involved in the search, everybody in the community is very sad about what occurred,' he said,
'The whole community is devastated.'
Mr Huxley also revealed Ruben was found only 100 metres away - after emergency crews ruled he probably hadn't survived.
Chief Superintendent Brian Huxley expressed his condolences to the family and his gratitude for all involved in the search
The search included helicopters, police divers, heat-seeking drones, horses, motorbikes and SES volunteers trawling through the 170,000-hectare station
'The police, the SES, the volunteers, everybody has been working so hard to try to find this little boy,' he told reporters.
'Probably one of the saddest parts is that, as big as the station is, as intense and as comprehensive as the search was, the reality is that he was located only 100 metres away.'
Mr Huxley explained the original plan was to 'bring him home' but as the search entered its fourth day, they were forced to search the dam.
'It wasn't until well after the survivability had passed that we then started to look at those immense waterways.'
Mr Huxley said police had begun to prepare a report for the coroner.
'It's just the most terrible set of circumstances at this stage, that he's ended up where he has, it will probably subject of the investigation of the coroner as to what's actually happened,' he said.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Queensland Police said: 'Our thoughts go out to Ruben's family, friends and the communities of Maramie and Kowanyama, as well as everyone involved in the search during this difficult time'
The boy wandered off while in the care of relatives, who have desperately been searching the 'rugged and challenging' terrain ever since
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Queensland Police said: 'Our thoughts go out to Ruben's family, friends and the communities of Maramie and Kowanyama, as well as everyone involved in the search during this difficult time'.
The boy wandered off while in the care of relatives, who have desperately been searching the 'rugged and challenging' terrain ever since.
Police told the little boy's shattered family on Thursday night they believe Ruben hadn't survived the harsh conditions.
Earlier on Friday, Ruben's heartbroken grandfather Noel Scott thanked the community for their assistance in the widespread search.
'We are preparing for the worst at the moment,' Mr Scott said as he fought back tears on Friday.
Volunteers (pictured) on the ground and helicopters and drones above were frantically searching for the boy since Tuesday
'As a family we'd just like to thank a few people who have helped us out along the way with the search for Ruben. Hopefully we can find Ruben today.'
Cape Patrol Inspector Mark Henderson said his thoughts went out Ruben's family, friends and the communities of Maramie and Kowanyama, as well as everyone involved in the search.
'It's with regret that last night I had to sit with the family and advise them that the survivability of their son and grandson has now passed,' Inspector Henderson said on Friday.
'That won't stop our efforts. We've had some 1700 square kilometres, 450,000 square acres to search. It's been a hard task and we've given it our best but paediatric experts have told us that survivability has passed.'
The cattle station backs onto a lagoon and the Mitchell River, east of Kowanyama, on the western side of Cape York Peninsula. It is known crocodile habitat.
Koolatah station sits on the back of a lagoon (pictured) and is surrounded by a fenced-off yard, big shady trees and nearby cattle yards
In an earlier social media post, Ms Scott said she was doing her best to keep herself together.
'As people way know my little Ruby has gone missing, I last seen him at 5:44 yesterday afternoon,' she wrote.
'I have every person that can help helping to find him.
'I'm trying to organise heaps of things to help find him and am trying to hold myself together.
'I thank and appreciate all you guys are doing for us.'
Pictured: the region where Reuben went missing on Tuesday
