The mother of a missing man found dead submerged in a flooded Gold Coast creek has paid tribute to her late son, describing him as "the best".
Suzy Allington took to social media this morning after swift water rescue crews retrieved the body of her son David Hornman, 38, from his ute that was found overturned in raging floodwaters.
The heartbroken mother thanked those who had sent her messages of support since the grim discovery and said she would have taken her son's place for him to still be here.
READ MORE: Floral tributes laid for man found dead submerged in Gold Coast creek
"Thank you for all your messages - I wish God had taken me instead," the post said.
"RIP my beautiful son - you were the best.
"My love for you will never die."
The emotional post has so far had hundreds of friends and strangers sending condolences for Mr Hornman's death, with one commenter calling the past 24 hours an "unimaginable pain as a mother."
"Our hearts are broken for you, sending you lots of love and hugs at this hard time, I too was sharing and hoping that your son would be found safe," one commenter said.
"I have never met you or your beautiful son, (I) was one who shared your post in the hope you would find him. Sending you so much love and prayers tonight as you grieve," another added.
The tribute follows a number of other posts from Ms Allington about Mr Hornman's disappearance earlier this week, pleading for him or his ute to be found.
"Oh David where are you my beautiful boy," she posted on Tuesday.
"Please check any dash cam footage you may have for Monday morning from 06.00 am - anywhere," she followed up yesterday morning.
https://twitter.com/R_DAlessandro9/status/1374810861911429124Mr Hornman was last seen leaving a home on Lamington National Park Road around 6am on Monday.
Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to Mr Hornman's death and are appealing for any mobile or dash cam vision to assist them in their queries.
