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New photos capture devastating reality of helicopter collision

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains images that some readers may find disturbing. </strong></em></p> <p>Four of the survivors of the deadly Gold Coast helicopter collision have released a series of photos that document the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. </p> <p>New Zealand couples Marle and Edward Swart, and Elmarie and Riaan Steenberg, were on board the descending helicopter that was struck by one just taking off. </p> <p>The ascending helicopter crashed to the ground, killing <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/helicopter-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four people</a> on board and wounding three other passengers. </p> <p>On Sunday, the four New Zealand survivors issued a collective statement, sharing how they are still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. </p> <p>"We want to express our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to the injured, deceased, and their families," they said.</p> <p>"Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss. This has been traumatic for us as survivors, and we cannot imagine the terrible sadness their families and loved ones must be feeling."</p> <p>The couples also offered their gratitude to those who helped them, including their "hero" pilot Michael James, bystanders who rushed to their aid and emergency and medical personnel who helped them.</p> <p>"Their care and heroism changed our lives," the statement said.</p> <p>"Our pilot, Michael James. You are our hero. You landed the helicopter safely and kept the bystanders and us safe. We are eternally grateful to you."</p> <div>"Unidentified bystanders who ran to our assistance. The person on the jet ski who was first on the scene and helped us out of the helicopter, the off-duty paramedic who ran to our assistance, the holidaymakers who brought us hats, towels and water, and chairs."</p> <p>"Every police officer and emergency services personnel both on the scene of the crash and later in the hospital. The staff of Villas de la Mer who helped our children to visit us and kept them safe. There are no words to describe our gratitude."</p> <p>"Every staff member involved in our care at Robina Public Hospital. Your discretion and compassionate care during our stay brought us much comfort. We will always remember your kindness."</p> <p>"Our community in New Zealand for all their well wishes and messages of comfort.</p> <p>"Our dear family and friends in Australia who have supported us over this period. We appreciate you so very much."</p> <p>"Craig and the staff of Sea World Helicopters for their support. We also want to express our deep condolences for the loss of pilot Ashley Jenkinson."</p> <p>"The reality of the last five days' events is sinking in and is a heavy weight to carry," they said.</p> <p>The four survivors also shared a series of images of their recovery in the hospital, as well as a photo snapped from inside the wreckage of the helicopter. </p> <p>The four said they would continue to help the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Queensland Police with their investigation into the incident as needed.</p> <p>They are headed home to New Zealand, where Elmarie and Marle will continue their lengthy recovery.</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Swart and Steenberg families</em></p> </div>

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“Pray for my little man”: Community rally behind 10-year-old gravely injured in helicopter collision

<p>The extended community surrounding the Sydney boy and mum who were on board the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/investigation-launched-after-helicopter-crash-sees-four-dead" target="_blank" rel="noopener">helicopter that crashed at Sea World</a> have come together in pray for the "precious little boy" and to mourn the loss of his mother.</p> <p>Nicholas Tadros, 10, was critically injured in the Gold Coast crash, while his mum Vanessa Tadros, 36, died.</p> <p>Vanessa Tadros’ sister-in-law, Bile Miloseska, wrote online on Wednesday morning that she had “an absolute broken heart” following the tragic accident.</p> <p>“On Monday we lost an absolute angel of a woman,” she said.</p> <p>“Our beautiful nephew, Nicky is in the ICU recovering from his injuries.”</p> <p>Miloseska asked family and friends to join her in praying for “total healing for this precious little boy”.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/vanessa-tadros" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> has been organised for the Tadros family, as it is understood Nicholas Tadros has had multiple operations.</p> <p>Rochelle Fajloun, a close friend of Vanessa Tadros, wrote that “Nicholas is critically injured and on life support as he fights for his life in a Gold Coast hospital, with his father by his side”.</p> <p>“We are praying for a miracle that our Nicky, (as he is playfully known) can be brought back to his grief stricken father Simon,” she said.</p> <p>“If by God’s grace Nicky survives his catastrophic injuries, he will have an intense and protracted recovery period. Please keep him in your prayers.</p> <p>Simon Tadros took to social media to thank those who have supported his family, asking that everyone continue to pray for his son.</p> <p>“I do ask that if everyone can please say a prayer for Nicky , so he can wake up and make a good recovery,” he said.</p> <p>“He is in an induced coma on a life support machine to help him breathe.</p> <p>“He is in a very serious and critical state.”</p> <p>He asked on a family friend’s social media post that everyone “pray for my little man”.</p> <p>“Pray that God will show some mercy and bring him back to me.”</p> <p>Friends and family have rallied around Simon and Nicholas Tadros, remembering Vanessa Tadros as a “beautfiul woman”.</p> <p>Norma-Marie Abboud said she was “so lost for words”.</p> <p>“Rest in peace beautiful angel.”</p> <p>The horrifying collision is still being investigated and Anyone who filmed the incident or saw it is urged to come forward to help ATSB investigators piece together what happened.</p> <p><em>Image: 7News</em></p>

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"He saved lives": Pilot praised for his quick thinking during helicopter collision

<p>Pilot Michael James has been praised for his quick thinking which saved a lot of lives during a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/investigation-launched-after-helicopter-crash-sees-four-dead" target="_blank" rel="noopener">collision</a> with another helicopter on the Gold Coast. </p> <p>The 52-year-old was flying the chopper when it collided with another near Sea World in a crash that claimed the lives of <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/helicopter-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">four people</a>. </p> <p>James was injured during the collision, and yet managed to land the damaged aircraft safely with his passengers only sustaining manageable injuries. </p> <p>Mr James is now recovering from his surgery and is yet to comment on the harrowing experience.</p> <p>Aviation expert Geoff Thomas said the pilot’s actions were lifesaving as he performed “an extraordinary feat of airmanship”.</p> <p>“It’s just amazing, it’s an incredible feat to do that given the level of damage and that he would have been hurt with glass and perspex everywhere,” he told <em>The Gold Coast Bulletin</em>.</p> <p>“It was an extraordinary feat of airmanship and he saved lives, there is no doubt about it."</p> <p>“When I looked at the images, I was astonished at the damage and that he was able to land it at all."</p> <p>“We could have had a far worse situation here.”</p> <p>Australian Transport Safety Bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell also praised Michael James as a lifesaver.</p> <p>“It was a remarkable job considering the damage that was done to the front-left hand part of the aircraft where the pilot was sitting,” he said on Tuesday.</p> <p>“We could have had a far worse situation here.</p> <p>“What we do need to know now is, what was occurring inside those cockpits.”</p> <p>Mr Thomas went on to suggest the collision between the two helicopters had occurred because they were in each other’s blind spot.</p> <p>“People do not appreciate that, when looking down, you can’t see a helicopter up from the surroundings. My sense is that was a factor given both pilots were highly regarded and highly experienced. It may have been a blind spot situation. It is just a terrible tragedy.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Gold Coast Bulletin</em></p>

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Eight-year-old girl hospitalised after e-scooter collision

<p dir="ltr">An eight-year-old girl has been left with serious injuries after being run over by a man on an e-scooter. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lilli Ritzka was walking along a footpath in North Coogee in Perth’s west on Sunday when she was hit by a rider doing 40km/h. </p> <p dir="ltr">She was flung almost 10m in the air leaving her with serious injuries to her forehead, cheek, nose and bottom lip. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The e-scooter was riding in the middle so he just crashed into me," little Lilli told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-e-scooter-crash-father-calls-tougher-laws/26ea4c13-6cd1-41e8-862d-a9d3795adb26" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine News</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her father Volker rushed her to hospital where she spent two nights there in fear of permanent scarring.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a strong impact, a big, big scooter, a really heavy vehicle,” he told <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/eightyearold-girls-very-shocking-and-very-painful-escooter-ordeal/news-story/41e6dbfdacf36fd756dd8be06b00a227" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Australian</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It could have been much worse easily.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Volker said the rider apologised but then rode off despite his best attempts at getting him to stay. </p> <p dir="ltr">A man in his 20s was later arrested but was released without charge. </p> <p dir="ltr">St John executive director ambulance operations Deon Brink said many riders are not adhering to the speed limit and almost all injuries involving e-scooters are serious. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Wear a helmet, abide by speed limits, ride responsibly and preferably not late at night or in the early hours of the morning,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

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Police charge teen over horrific Harbour Bridge smash

<p dir="ltr">A 19-year-old Queensland man has been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-09/police-identify-alleged-sydney-harbour-bridge-crash-driver/100895066" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> by detectives for allegedly stealing a car before causing a fiery three-car crash that closed the Sydney Harbour Bridge.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police were able to identify the man as Christopher Walker one day after releasing a photo of his arm and calling on the public to help. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-42ab4a56-7fff-a17b-f4f7-0a37536b382d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The image showed a distinctive tattoo of a large eye on Mr Walker's hand with wavy lines that extended across his fingers and wrist.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/tattoo.jpg" alt="" width="322" height="215" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Police released an image to help them identify the driver. Image: NSW Police</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-422bd487-7fff-c897-3d6e-a741b2a5d96a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">They allege he drove a Toyota Kluger SUV which swerved into oncoming traffic and careened into a van on Monday morning.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sydney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sydney</a> Harbour Bridge closed due to a terrible multi-vehicle crash that brought all lanes to a standstill. <br />Motorists have been advised to avoid the area and use Sydney Harbour Tunnel instead. <br />Stay safe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SydneyHarbour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SydneyHarbour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dryadusingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dryadusingh</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DrAmitSarwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrAmitSarwal</a> <a href="https://t.co/umbbU6oiIg">pic.twitter.com/umbbU6oiIg</a></p> <p>— The Australia Today (@TheAustoday) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAustoday/status/1500600916746989572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Mr Walker remains in hospital under police guard, where he is being treated for suspected head injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have laid several charges against him, including dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police also allege Mr Walker stole the keys to the SUV from a man he assaulted in the CBD just before 7am on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-70f75b7e-7fff-0c28-ab75-171c2294c000"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Emergency services were then called to the three-car crash a short time later, after the SUV flipped on its roof and burst into flames during morning peak hour.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Sydney Harbour Bridge is closed and three people have been injured – including one who was trapped – after a horror head-on crash during peak hour.<br />Inquiries are continuing into the incident.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/australia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#australia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sydney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sydney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/habourbridge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#habourbridge</a> <a href="https://t.co/1U05QgKMpV">pic.twitter.com/1U05QgKMpV</a></p> <p>— 5 News Australia (@5NewsAustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/5NewsAustralia/status/1500671979023892480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 7, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The two other drivers were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries, with the van driver sustaining serious leg and pelvic injuries and a woman driving a Honda Civic sustaining minor injuries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police have spoken to several witnesses over the past few days who were on the bridge at the time of the collision of saw the lead-up.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Walker <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/man-charged-over-fiery-harbour-bridge-crash-and-alleged-carjacking-20220309-p5a37w.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appeared</a> before Central Local Court via a bedside hearing on Wednesday afternoon, where he was formally refused bail.</p> <p dir="ltr">He is due to appear in court again on March 23.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><em>Image: @5NewsAustralia (Twitter)</em></p>

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Man who abducted wheelchair-bound partner dies two days after her

<p dir="ltr">A man who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/man-charged-with-abducting-wheelchair-bound-partner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abducted his wheelchair-bound partner</a> from a Perth nursing home and attempted to cross the border with her has died just two days after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ralph “Terry” Gibbs, 80, died after his car collided with a utility truck on Wednesday morning south of Bowen, in Queensland’s north.</p> <p dir="ltr">His death came just 48 hours after that of 84-year-old Carol Lisle, his partner of 15 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 84-year-old, passed away in an aged care facility in Mandurah, Western Australia, where she was living with dementia and Parkinson’s disease.</p> <p dir="ltr">They died just a week after Mr Gibbs appeared before a Perth magistrate over charges of deprivation of liberty and endangering Ms Lisle’s life, after he took her out of her aged care home in January and tried to drive her across the border during heatwave conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr">He received a seven-month suspended sentence and a restraining order to prevent him from contacting Ms Lisle.</p> <p dir="ltr">Outside court, Mr Gibbs described Ms Lisle as “my little sweetheart” and said he fought “for over a year to get her back so we can see each other because she has dementia and may not last much longer”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A close friend of Ms Lisle, who didn’t want to be named, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-24/ralph-gibbs-kidnapped-partner-from-nursing-home-dies-after-her/100856128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the <em>ABC</em></a><em> </em>she passed away in the early hours on Monday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having known Ms Lisle for 24 years, the friend said she was loved and well-looked after at the nursing home, and that she had been very unwell since she was taken by Mr Gibbs in January.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carol’s friends are devastated at her passing and believe the separation from her loved ones contributed to her death,” the friend said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a <a href="https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2022/02/23/fatal-crash-bowen-4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, Queensland Police said Mr Gibbs was driving north along the Bruce Highway early on Wednesday morning when he collided with the other vehicle which was being driven by a 60-year-old man.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gibbs died at the scene of the crash, while the other driver was airlifted to a local hospital and is believed to be in a serious condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland’s Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: WA Police</em></p>

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Former reality TV star killed in head-on collision

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Queensland man has died in a head-on crash in Beerwah, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">James Ciseau, known for his role in the 2019 season of reality TV show </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bride and Prejudice</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, passed away after being involved in a collision at 4pm on Monday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He has been remembered by loved ones for his “jovial” nature and how he lived a life of happiness, as reported by </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/community/james-ciseau-tribute-sisters-mourn-big-brother-killed-in-horror-beerwah-crash/news-story/d9b6f1dc08413ee6c820740a32a36abb" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Courier Mail</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His sisters Lauren and Jacinta Ciseau paid tribute on Tuesday morning, with the support of family, and shared their fondest memories of him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lauren, 33, described the father-of-two as her “brother bear” and a “protector” with a “heart of gold”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“James was loved by anyone he met, he’d walk into a room and would make it brighter, like a ray of sunshine,” she </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/bride-and-prejudice-star-james-ciseau-killed-in-horror-queensland-crash/news-story/ff41a8fbdf23fcbe8169536db8e7aacb" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He had so much energy and constantly wanted to be around people.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“His favourite word to describe himself was jovial.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jacinta spoke of her brother as the “most caring human”, and of his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’d see him speaking to someone at the shops and you’d assume he knew them, then you’d ask him and they’d be strangers. He just had the time of day for anyone,” the 34-year-old said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He touched so many lives.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWktggrlFWJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWktggrlFWJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by James Ciseau (@james_ciseau)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sisters, who grew up with the closest of bonds with their brother, said family meant everything to James. They spoke of his doting daughters Olivia-Rose and Bella-Pearl, the “smart arse” comments he made to his sisters, and how he would cook for those closest to him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He was the most amazing father to those girls, they would look up to him so much,” Lauren said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He was the same with his nieces and nephews, so close with the kids and as a husband.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Family time was his all. Any spare time he had he would spend with us.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mourners also shared their condolences through social media, including Sunshine Coast football where he and his father were involved.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 36-year-old pool builder lived with his mum Deborah and stepfather Barry until his death.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the cause of the “head on” crash was under investigation.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @james_ciseau (Instagram)</span></em></p>

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Concern over dropped charges against Dr Charlie Teo’s daughter

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The daughter of neurosurgeon Charlie Teo has had charges against her for dangerous driving withdrawn by the Crown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nicola Teo was accused of dangerous driving after she crashed into former Comancheros boss Jock Ross in Sydney’s northwest in 2019.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 26-year-old was driving on the wrong side of the road when her Toyota Landcruiser collided head-on with Ross’ motorcycle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bikie boss was airlifted to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Teo faced a maximum of seven years imprisonment and had pleaded not guilty to four charges, including negligent driving and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The trial, which was scheduled for Monday, May 21, was delayed for a psychiatric report to be prepared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On Tuesday, NSW District Court Judge Warwick Hunt dismissed the case and told Teo she was now “free to go and get on with your life” after the Crown withdrew the charges.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking after court on Tuesday, Mr Ross’s distraught daughter Holly Gittany said the family was concerned at the way in which the charges were suddenly dropped.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She told reporters her father was still suffering from the lingering effects of the crash.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Gittany said Mr Ross, now in his late 70s, had been forced to quit his job with the Rural Fire Brigade due to his injuries.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“What happened today was not right,” she said. “My Dad’s never been the same again. My Dad was severely injured. He was hit head-on.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: news.com.au</span></em></p>

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Teen driving with puppy killed in head-on collision

<p>A New South Wales teenager has died in a van crash moments after a police officer attempted to pull her over.</p> <p>Sky Heffernan, 17, was killed on Monday afternoon when her Ford Falcon collided with a van on Bulga Road in Wingham.</p> <p>The apprentice mechanic was driving with a puppy when a highway patrol officer did a U-turn with the intention to pull her over for alleged speeding, police said.</p> <p>Heffernan’s car crashed into a van heading in the opposite direction before the officer caught up to her.</p> <p>She died at the scene while the male van driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to John Hunter Hospital. The puppy survived, the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8453207/Teen-killed-horror-car-crash-buying-puppy-tiny-pooch-miraculously-survives.html">Daily Mail</a> </em>reported.</p> <p>Friends of Heffernan remember the teenager for her <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/friends-have-described-sky-heffernan-as-a-positive-person/news-story/93d7db1c18d355a308e443b4d03d5a72" target="_blank">positivity</a>.</p> <p>Former classmate Samantha Taylor said: “Sky guided me from the bad things, she always wanted the best for everyone.”</p> <p>The Mid North Coast Crash Investigation Unit has launched a critical incident investigation into the case.</p>

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69-year-old shares terrifying dashcam footage of moment she fell asleep behind the wheel

<p>Terrifying dashcam footage has been posted online showing the moment a woman lost control of her car while driving in Western Australia due to exhaustion.</p> <p>The woman encouraged Police to share the footage in the hopes to spread awareness of the dangers of driving while tired.</p> <p><iframe width="640" height="360" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="https://au.news.yahoo.com/tired-wheel-205819716.html?format=embed" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Video of the crash on the Great Southern Highway at Murdong, in Western Australia, begins with the car travelling in the correct lane but it veers onto the wrong side of the road, before moving onto the dirt strip next to the highway.</p> <p>The 69-year-old then crossed back over to the other side of the highway and collides side-on into a power pole.</p> <p>“She believes she fell asleep, but says she doesn’t really know what happened, thinking it could possibly be medically related,” explained a post on the Western Australia Police Force Facebook page.</p> <p>“The driver realises she was lucky to survive and asked us to release her dashcam vision to warn other drivers of the dangers of fatigue.”</p> <p>The 69-year-old suffered minor injuries in the accident, which occurred on Wednesday, September 12.</p> <p>In the post, police said the woman would not be facing any charges but will have to undergo a Fitness to Hold test, to prove she is fit enough to own a driver’s licence.</p> <p>WA Police are now using this opportunity to remind drivers of the dangers of fatigue, saying to watch out for early signs such as wandering thoughts; missing a gear, road sign or exit; slowing unintentionally or braking too late.</p>

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Terrifying collision on Victorian road has Australia divided

<p>There are times when driving on our country’s major roads isn’t for the faint of heart, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DashCamOwnersAustralia/" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>another video from Dash Cam Holders Australia</strong></span></em></a> has proved this point, showcasing a terrifying collision between a car and an overtaking truck.</p> <p>The video, which took place in Victoria along the Geelong Ring Road, begins with a truck driving down the right lane, without noticing the small white car in its blind spot.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDashCamOwnersAustralia%2Fvideos%2F1765101636882802%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>The truck indicates to change lanes, but it soon becomes evident that the white car hasn’t noticed this, appearing to not make an effort to speed up or slow down.</p> <p>As the truck starts to switch lanes it clips the back of the small white car, flipping it around and leaving it wedged horizontally in the way of the truck.</p> <p>The video has divided viewers on the Facebook page.</p> <p>“Can’t wait to see the truckles (sic) blame the blind spot on this one. Lets not even mention hogging the right lane!!!' one user wrote.</p> <p>“As a truck driver I’d be the first to stick up for them. But here it’s clear the B-Double is 100% at fault! Although the car is in his blind spot he would’ve seen that car come up past him at some point,” another added.</p> <p>“The truck caught up with the car. If he didn't know the car was there why was he in the right hand lane? Dangerous driving by the truck driver,” another user wrote.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Dash Cam Owners Australia</em></p>

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Horrific collision shows why you should never overtake on double white lines

<p><span>A driver’s attempt to overtake another car ended in a horrific head-on collision on a stretch of road in regional Western Australia.</span></p> <p><span>Dashcam footage from Boxing Day shows the moment the rushed sedan crosses the double white lines and begins to overtake the 4WD in front of it.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDashCamOwnersAustralia%2Fvideos%2F1660282300698070%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p> <p><span>Occurring on Jerramungup Road near Gnowangerup in Western Australia’s Great Southern region, the driver goes into the opposite lane without considering the bend in the road ahead.</span></p> <p><span>After overtaking the car, a second 4WD emerges from around the corner, leaving the car with little time to react.</span></p> <p><span>Rather than merging back into the left lane, the sedan driver slams the brakes and tries to veer right onto the side of the road.</span></p> <p><span>With the car blocking the road, the oncoming 4WD smashes into the sedan sending it spinning out of control.</span></p> <p><span>Both vehicles were extensively damaged, however, thankfully everyone in the crash walked away without serious injury.</span></p> <p><span>The 27-year-old driver of the sedan was charged with dangerous driving.</span></p> <p><span>The owner of the dashcam footage shared the video with the caption, “Why you should never overtake on double white lines. Everyone walked away thankfully. Happened boxing day in WA southwest.”</span></p> <p><span>Have you ever witnessed driving as reckless as this? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

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Dangerous driver busted after near-miss collision with two police bikes

<p><span>An allegedly dangerous driver has been caught on camera nearly colliding with two police bikes in Adelaide Hills.</span></p> <p><span>On Saturday, two drivers and two riders were caught on dash cam driving recklessly near Cudlee Creek.</span></p> <p><span>The video shows the drivers taking dangerous risks as they overtake around blind bends and across double lines.</span></p> <p><span>One of the motorists can be see going into the opposite lane, overtaking another vehicle and then narrowly dodging a head-on collision with two police bikes.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsapolicenews%2Fvideos%2F1593322100745126%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p> <p><span>Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti said the reckless driving wouldn’t go unpunished.</span></p> <p><span>“This footage shows motorists who were seconds away from collisions that could have had a devastating impact for themselves and the other drivers in the area,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>One of the four drivers was identified on Saturday, however, further dangerous behaviour was uncovered on another driver’s dash cam.</span></p> <p><span>South Australia Police have urged drivers to be careful in the lead up to Christmas.</span></p> <p><span>“On Friday, SA Police launched Operation Safe Holidays with a particular appeal to the community to think about their manner of driving," Superintendent Fioravanti said.</span></p> <p><span>“Police want everyone to have a safe Christmas – and not to see us at the scene of a preventable, life-changing crash. “This footage shows motorists who were seconds away from collisions that could have had a devastating impact for themselves and the other drivers in the area. “Police don’t want to be on the doorstep to deliver the news to your loved ones of a terrible crash – we simply don’t want to see you in these circumstances. However these drivers will be seeing police.”</span></p>

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Air Canada pilot narrowly avoids landing on four passenger planes

<p>An Air Canada jet was close to causing the biggest disaster in aviation history by nearly landing on four other passenger planes on Friday.</p> <p>The Airbus A320 was supposed to land at San Francisco’s 28R runway but instead headed towards the parallel taxiway that is for planes about to take off.</p> <p>The incident occurred at 11:56 on Friday night as the Air Canada jet carried 135 passengers and five crew members.</p> <p>The terrifying close call could have claimed more than a thousand lives.</p> <p>Retired United Airlines Captain Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts, told The Mercury News, “If it is true, what happened probably came close to the greatest aviation disaster in history.”</p> <p>The near-miss was captured in air traffic control audio posted online.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" width="698" height="573" scrolling="no" id="molvideoplayer" title="MailOnline Embed Player" src="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/1499225.html"></iframe></p> <p style="text-align: center;">The Air Canada pilot is heard asking SFO control if he’s heading towards the correct runway.</p> <p>“Tower control, I just want to confirm that – this is Air Canada 759, I can see some lights on the runway there, across the runway, can you confirm we're good to land?”</p> <p>“Canada 759, confirmed to land on runway 28-Right, there is no one on 28-Right but you.”</p> <p>However, the pilot wasn’t lined up for the correct runway and was instead heading towards Taxiway C, where four planes were positioned for take-off.</p> <p>As the Air Canada jet pilot thanks the tower, another pilot quickly buzzes in saying, “Where is this guy going? He's on the Taxiway!”</p> <p>The tower immediately directs the plane to “go around” and it peels off, narrowly avoiding a collision with the other planes.</p> <p>“Air Canada flew directly over us,” another pilot says.</p> <p>“Yeah, I saw that guys,” replies the tower.</p> <p>Captain Aimer said if the tower hadn’t quickly redirected the jet plane, disaster would have ensued.</p> <p>“If you could imagine an Airbus colliding with four passenger aircraft wide bodies, full of fuel and passengers, then you can imagine how horrific this could have been,” he said. </p>

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Mountain biker collides with bear while cycling

<p>A cyclist in California was enjoying a casual ride near Lake Tahoe when he crashed his bike — into a bear.</p> <p>Davis Souza was mountain biking with friends on Mills Peak trail in the US when he crossed paths with the startled animal. He caught the whole collision on what appears to be a GoPro camera and posted the video to his Instagram.</p> <p>"This bear came out of nowhere and was gone before I could ask if it was alright or anything… Volume up!" he wrote.</p> <p>At first, it's tough to tell what is happening. But a closer look at the slow motion footage confirms that the bear definitely did not have the right of way.</p> <p>Have you ever had a bizarre animal encounter like this?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / savydouza</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-pictures-from-secret-english-villages/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 pictures from secret English villages</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-photos-capture-the-beauty-of-the-italian-dolomites/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 photos capture the beauty of the Italian Dolomites</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/07/10-views-you-can-only-experience-from-a-train/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 views you can only experience from a train</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Lucky kangaroo narrowly avoids car collision

<p>We’ve heard of close calls, but this is something else entirely.</p> <p>In the above video a pair of mates are travelling down a stretch of road in outback Australia.</p> <p>When suddenly, out of nowhere, a kangaroo hops into sight.</p> <p>The footage is captured on the dashboard camera.</p> <p>As we can see, Skippy is lucky to get out of the incident with his tail intact! </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/fence-lets-dogs-people-watch/"><strong>This fence lets dogs people watch</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/how-to-find-birthday-word/"><strong>The word that was invented the year of your birth</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/02/homemade-drain-cleaning-solution/"><strong>Homemade drain-cleaning solution to unclog sinks quickly</strong></a></em></span></p>

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