Blue Mountains friends of Cindy Waldron are in shock after she was attacked by a crocodile at Thornton Beach in North Queensland.
The search continues for the 46-year-old who is feared dead.
The much-loved Leura photographer had moved to Lithgow in February, and was on holiday with her childhood friend Leeann Mitchell, aged 47, from Cairns, when she was taken by a crocodile about 10.30pm on Sunday.
The pair were celebrating Ms Mitchell's end-of-cancer treatment with a break in the Daintree National Park near Cape Tribulation, north of Cairns.
The pair were walking in knee-deep water along Thornton Beach when Ms Mitchell felt something brush against her leg.
Ms Waldron was taken moments later as her friend tried in vain to save her.
Ms Waldron had moved from New Zealand to New South Wales 18 years ago.
She was a really lovely, kind human being who had time for everyone and was an extremely talented photographer.
- Blue Mountains friend
A Blue Mountains friend described Ms Waldron as a “really vibrant person”.
“Her home was always filled with people, love and friends.
“She was a really lovely, kind human being who had time for everyone and was an extremely talented photographer,” she said.
“She had outstanding photography of Blue Mountains weddings – couples on clifftops – just stunning really. She always had time for you regardless of how busy she was.
“She’s going to be missed, she’s a loss to our community.”
She said her friend had been excited about buying her house in Lithgow, which she moved into in February.
Ms Waldron was an active person who cared about her health and fitness, regularly attending Katoomba Sports and Aquatic Centre before she moved to Lithgow.
She previously worked at a dental practice in Wentworth Falls and was excited to be starting a job at Aldi in Lithgow, to supplement her photography.
The search continues for Ms Waldron and Ms Mitchell remains in hospital being treated for shock.
The State Emergency Service (SES) said poor weather was hampering the search for Ms Waldron.
SES area controller, Peter Rinaudo, said the search area is being drenched by heavy rain.
"We did have one of our boats just move up and down the coastline yesterday afternoon," he said.
"They were unable to locate anything of significance and we'll just really have a look at the weather and see how it goes.
"I can't see any other point on the coastline, either north of south of me as I'm standing on the beach."
- with ABC online
