Darcy died after the tinnie she was on crashed into another on the Hacking River at Grays Point, 10km west of Cronulla in Sydney’s south on January 26.

Witnesses even claim she was floating face down in the water for several minutes before she was pulled from the water.

Two 16-year-old boys, who were driving the tinnies, were taken to hospital for alcohol testing.

Darcy later died in St Georges Hospital hours later.

Scott Edwards shared on Boating Sutherland Shire’s Facebook page that he witnessed the accident, pulled Darcy from the water and took her to the boat ramp, where CPR was administered until paramedics arrived. 

Mr Edwards wrote that he “did everything I could to try to save her life” adding that “neither of the boats involved were speeding or hooning”.

Tributes have flowed in online for Ms Sutherland with loved ones describing her as “a beautiful young lady”.

“Yesterday we had the most devastating news of a tragic accident in which sadly Darcy 16yrs old lost her life, we are all heartbroken,” one person who described themselves as a family friend wrote on Facebook.

“Rest in peace beautiful girl, you will be missed by everyone who knew you,’ another person wrote on social media.

“Always in my heart, the best cousin in the world,’ a third shared.

Meanwhile, a Grays Point Facebook page said the “whole community has been rocked by the tragedy”.

A GoFundMe campaign for Ms Sutherland’s family has so far raised more than $28,000.

“Following the tragic accident that occurred on 26 January we are raising funds for the family in honour of Darcy Sutherland,” the fundraiser’s organiser Jamil Barmania of Miranda, said. “We have received numerous requests on how to help and we are creating this page to assist the family with the necessary arrangements.

“Thank you for your love and support and coming together to assist the family during this difficult time.”

Miranda Magpies FC also shared the post on its Facebook page.

“Yesterday’s tragedy on the water has struck our Magpies family,” the post read.

“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the Sutherland Family at this very difficult time.”

Emergency services were called to the scene at 10.15am on Friday following reports two boats had collided, throwing several people in the water.

A doctor and critical care paramedic were winched via a helicopter to assist Ms Sutherland who had been seriously injured in the crash.

She was given CPR before being rushed to St George Hospital where she later died.

In a statement, NSW Police said the two boats were “small aluminium vessels”.

“The vessels have been seized for examination and an investigation into the circumstance surrounding this incident has commenced,” the statement said.

“As inquiries continue, anyone with information about this incident is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”