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Aussie Olympian air-lifted to Greece after horror crash

Australian Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff is recovering in a Greek hospital following a serious crash at a Snowboard Cross World Cup event in Eastern Europe. The 32-year-old world champion sustained a significant injury during her final race of the program on Saturday, crashing at high speed and landing on her coccyx. Brockhoff was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Tbilisi, Georgia, where scans revealed a fracture in her L1 vertebrae. While she was cleared of neurological damage, the severity of her injury required an emergency evacuation to Athens for surgery. Her partner, Georgia, quickly boarded a flight to be by her side, while an Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) medical staffer has been assisting her throughout the ordeal. Brockhoff is expected to remain in hospital for up to two weeks before being cleared to return home to Australia. OWIA chief Geoff Lipshut assured that Brockhoff is receiving the best medical care possible. "Currently, our medical team is working with emergency service personnel and the hospital in Greece to ensure that Belle receives the best care possible," Lipshut said. "We will reassess options together with Belle following surgery over the next 48 hours." Despite the setback, Brockhoff remains in good spirits. Lipshut expressed relief that her partner could join her in Greece to provide additional support. The injury comes as another blow to Brockhoff, who recently recovered from what her surgeon described as "the worst" broken wrist he had ever seen. With just 11 months remaining until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, her latest setback could not have come at a worse time. Brockhoff has a history of pushing through injuries in pursuit of Olympic success. She competed at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics with her knee heavily taped and braced after undergoing ACL removal surgery. More recently, she sought redemption after a heartbreaking fourth-place finish in the women’s snowboard cross final at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Frustrated by her near-miss, she bluntly described her result as “the loser” and expressed disappointment at missing the podium. Her Beijing campaign ended dramatically when she crashed out of the mixed team event, lying motionless on the course before being stretchered off by medics. Now, she faces yet another uphill battle in her journey back to competition. Images: Instagram

Caring

"A miracle": Man walks away from horror crash

A man has walked away with only minor injuries after surviving a horrific crash in Sydney's north. The horrific scene unfolded when the man's car was crushed after he collided with a truck on the Spit Bridge in Manly on Monday morning. The man in his 40s was cut out of the wreckage by firefighters, with NSW Ambulance confirming that he was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital after sustaining minor injuries to his back and neck. Many people were stunned after seeing images of the mangled vehicle, wondering how the driver managed to walk away relatively unscathed. “How good are those first responders to get him out alive. Bloody heroes every single one of them,” one person said, while another added, “That is a miracle.” “So glad he is OK! He should buy a lotto ticket, thank you to the amazing first responses you do an amazing job,” another said. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Andrew Dewberry told <a href="https://manlyobserver.com.au/spit-bridge-closed-after-car-crushed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Manly Observer</a> that the car was "completely crushed and mangled" and it was a "miracle" he survived. Two of three outbound lanes were closed on the bridge for about an hour as emergency crews worked to free the person from the vehicle and clear the scene. Many commuters were stuck in the heavy traffic delays, with dozens of people fleeing standstill buses and trekking along the highway to escape the chaos. Image credits: The Manly Observer

Caring

Beauty pageant queen dies after horrific car crash

American beauty pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen has died at the age of 18 after a horrific head-on car crash. According to multiple US outlets, Fredericksen, who was named Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA, tragically died on February 17 following a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer while driving on a Florida highway. The sudden death of the Miss Teen USA title holder was confirmed in a heartbreaking post on The Miss Florida USA Instagram account, saying "our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul" and noting she "was a true light in this world". The Miss Florida USA organisation wrote in their Instagram post underneath a black and white shot of the pageant queen: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our beloved delegates, Kadance Fredericksen, Miss Okaloosa County." "Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul – one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters." They added in part of the post, "May we honour her memory by carrying forward the light she so effortlessly shared with the world and our Florida pageant community. Forever our Queen 🙏🕊️." Her pageant coach Michelle Watts told WKRG following her death, "Even though she passed away at 18 years old, literally, her life story and her life start song still sings." "She is going to have such a legacy behind her." Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Incredible footage emerges of plane crashing and flipping upside down

Terrified passengers have recalled the moment they were left "hanging upside down like bats" after a plane crashed and flipped during an icy landing. The Delta Airlines plane was landing at Toronto Pearson Airport during snowy conditions, when the plane touched down and immediately caught fire. Skidding along the runway, the plane then flipped upside down with 80 people onboard before coming to a halt. Video obtained by CNN shows the plane landing hard on the runway, with the plane's rear landing gear buckling upon impact with the snow and erupting into a fireball. <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGN-pIIOR-G/?utm_source=ig_embed&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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </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;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGN-pIIOR-G/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by CNN (@cnn)</a> </div> </blockquote> According to passengers John Nelson and Peter Koukov, the rollover left travellers hanging aloft until they could be freed. "We were upside down hanging like bats," Koukov said. The man was able to unbuckle himself and stand upright on the ceiling of the plane, but some people needed help getting down from their seats. Officials said on Monday 21 people were taken to hospitals with injuries, including a child in good condition. All but two of them had been released from hospital on Tuesday morning. US man Pete Carlson was on board and told CBC News that it was "really amazing" he and his fellow passengers were alive. "Everything just kind of went sideways," Carlson recalled. "One minute you're landing, kind of waiting to see your friends and your people, and the next minute you're physically upside down." Koukov, a professional skier from Colorado, told the New York Times that the flight was completely normal up until the final descent. "The second that the wheels hit the ground, then everything happened," he said. "The next thing I know, we're sideways." "We ended up completely upside-down. I unbuckled pretty fast and kind of lowered myself to the floor, which was the ceiling. People were panicking." Image credits: Instagram

Travel Trouble

One dead, five injured after rock star's private jet crashes on runway

A private jet owned by Vince Neil, the lead singer of legendary rock band Motley Crue, has crashed on the runway at Scottsdale Municipal Airport in Arizona, leaving one person dead and several others injured. The Learjet 35A veered off the runway upon landing at approximately 2:45pm local time on Monday, colliding with a parked Gulfstream G200 business jet. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash. Neil, 64, was not on board at the time of the accident. However, his girlfriend, Rain Andreani, and her friend, Ashley, were both passengers. Both women were hospitalised, with Andreani reportedly suffering five broken ribs. Their pet dogs, also on board, were unharmed. A statement from Neil’s legal representatives confirmed the details of the incident, and said that their “thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and (Neil) is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today.” Scottsdale Fire Department officials said five people were involved in the crash, with two critically injured and another in stable condition. One passenger remained trapped in the wreckage as rescue crews worked to extract them. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is leading an investigation into the crash. Airport officials stated that a failure in one of the Learjet’s landing gears may have contributed to the accident, and the airport remains temporarily closed while authorities assess the scene. Images circulating on social media show the wreckage of both aircraft on the tarmac, with emergency responders at the site. Further details, including the identity of the deceased, remain undisclosed as investigations continue. Images: Instagram | TikTok

Travel Trouble

"This ruined my life": Mum still seeking justice after horror e-bike crash

Sarah was crossing on George Street in Sydney's CBD on February 2023 when she was brutally struck by a Lime e-bike rider. At the time of the accident, she was three months pregnant. Speaking to Yahoo News, Sarah explained she had been crossing the street when she heard someone yell "look out!" but before she could react, she was knocked down by the speeding vehicle. She claims that the bike user was illegally riding with a companion on the handle bars at the time, and fled the scene when she cried out "my baby!" Fortunately, Sarah's unborn daughter was unharmed during the incident, but she was left with lifelong injuries. "My foot was crushed, I had dislocations and many broken bones, and I needed 21 screws, two plates and two pins," Sarah said. "As a result of the injury, the skin on my foot began to die with fracture blisters, so I needed skin grafts as well. "I required six surgeries on my foot in total. One on my elbow, which was broken. One big plate and seven screws. Six weeks of non-weight bearing on my arm, and much longer on my foot. Around 12 weeks plus altogether." It took the mum six months after the accident to be able to walk again - three weeks before she gave birth. "The pain was unbelievable," she recalled. "The trauma was unbelievable. It was all just horrible, horrendous. It really was." Her family tried to seek compensation from Lime, but they deflected any blame saying that they would only take responsibility if the accident was caused by a faulty Lime bike, but not reckless riding. Since Lime e-bikes are rented by individuals, liability typically falls on the rider, not the company, they argued. The family's solicitor had also obtained CCTV footage of the incident, and had tried to get police to follow up but have been hit with multiple roadblocks since. "The police had their name, addresses, mobile and photos. [But] they only called one time, and went to the house one time. That's it. A high commissioner rang me to apologise, but then they still did nothing." Now, Sarah and her family are calling for the total ban of e-bikes in Australia. "They should be banned," Sarah said. "The government and Lime have just let loose motorised vehicles that can hurt riders and pedestrians, and have not covered anyone but themselves. "There is no policing how fast they are going. This ruined my body, my life and my first pregnancy. And nobody has been held accountable." While Sarah's baby was unharmed in the accident, nine months after her birth, the baby girl "was found to have tetralogy of Fallot" — a rare but serious heart defect that affects how blood flows through the heart. "She needed open heart surgery and will need it every 10 years. My injuries made everything a lot harder. But hopefully I can change things," Sarah said. "I'm certainly scarred for life." Image: Yahoo News

Legal

Bus crashes into suburban Sydney home

A bus carrying multiple passengers has crashed into a home in south-west Sydney. Emergency services were called to Aplin Road in Bonnyrigg heights on Tuesday morning following reports a bus had smashed into a house. Fortunately nobody was in the house at the time of the crash, according to NSW police. Six people were treated for minor injuries, with the bus driver, a man in his 50s, taken to Liverpool Hospital with minor injuries. The crash caused significant damage to the home, with a part of the roof caving in, however, NSW Fire and Rescue has confirmed that the structure of the home is safe. An investigation into the crash is still ongoing, with a tow truck extracting the bus from the house since the accident. Image: Nine News

Travel Trouble

Olympic couple identified in horror plane crash

Two world champion figure skaters are among dozens of casualties killed after a passenger plane carrying 64 people collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter in the US. The mid-air crash happened about 9pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday (1pm Thursday AEDT), when the aircrafts collided and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport in Washington DC. As officials confirmed that rescue efforts had shifted to a recovery operation, two of the first victims identified were Russian Olympians and married couple Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov. Their son, Maxim Naumov, 23, is also feared to have been on board. Shishkova, 52, and Naumov, 55, won the pairs title at the 1994 world championships and competed at the Winter Olympics twice. It is believed the family were returning home after Maxim had been competing at the US figure skating championships in Wichita, Kansas. Russia’s Mash news outlet published a list of 13 skaters, many of them the children of Russian emigres to the US, who it said were believed to have been on the plane. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed their death to reporter, saying, "Unfortunately, we see that this sad information is being confirmed. There were other fellow citizens there. Bad news today from Washington." "We are sorry and send condolences to the families and friends who lost those of our fellow citizens who died in the plane crash." The bodies of three US soldiers have also been recovered from the river as the recovery operations remains ongoing. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said at this stage it wasn't known why the two aircrafts collided. "I want to express my sincere condolences for the accident that happened at DCA last night," he said. "We're absolutely heartbroken for the family and loved ones of the passengers and crew members, and also for those that were on the military aircraft." According to Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation, the helicopter crew "very experienced" and had flown the nighttime route countless times before. US President Donald Trump addressed the devastating crash in the White House, located about five kilometres away from the fatal crash site. "As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly," Trump said. "We'll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again." Image credits: Instagram

Travel Trouble

Community rallies around family after fatal Australia Day crash

A tight-knit community has rallied together to support a grieving widow and her children after her husband and four-year-old son were <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/father-and-four-year-old-son-killed-in-australia-day-crash-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed</a> in a car crash on Australia Day. Chris Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Holden Commodore collided with another car at an intersection in Brisbane's bayside. His four-year-old son Julian was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The classic car community, of which Mr Vrbesic was an avid member, has since stepped up to help his widow Maria and the couple's two surviving children Myla and Vinnie since the sudden and tragic crash. Family friend Brittany Claxton said young son Julian was "so full of life and he loved his Tata [father] so so much". "He was sure to remind us of his favourite person - Tata," she said. "The pair had an unbreakable bond and his mumma realised they were just destined to be together forever." "Juju was an old soul who had a knack for making any adult do exactly what he wanted. Even staring contests and telling you EXACTLY what he thought of you." "Juju, that cheeky grin and even cheekier laugh will stick with us all forever. It will be the light that guides us all. Our mad dog forever." A <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-chris-juju-support-for-the-vrbesics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> page was created by Clayton to support the grieving family, and has reached over $130,000 in donations. The fundraiser reads, "In order to relieve the financial burden in this unsettling time we are raising funds for Chris' loving wife and Juju's incredible mama Maria." "We hope to take away a small amount of the pressure as they process their grief. If you had the privilege to know this man - you know he was an incredibly loving Dad, supportive husband, loving son, grandson, big brother and a friend to so many." "The way he lived his life full of joy, passion and drive was admirable and we should all be inspired to live the same, in honour of him." Image credits: GoFundMe / LinkedIn

Caring

Father and four-year-old son killed in Australia Day crash identified

A father who was killed alongside his four-year-old son in a horror car crash on Brisbane's bayside has been identified as Chris Vrbesic. Emergency services were called to Ransome just before 9am on Australia Day, after a blue Holden Commodore collided with a red Mitsubishi Lancer on Rickertt Road at an intersection. Vrbesic, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene and his son was taken to Queensland Children's Hospital, where he died. The driver of the Mitsubishi, a 29-year-old Birkdale man, suffered minor injuries and was helped by bystanders before he was taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital for treatment. Vrbesic, from Manly West, has been remembered by his friends and loved ones as a "family man" with a "big heart". A friend who stopped by the crash site told The Courier Mail: “I think you’re going to find this will be one of those tragedies … thousands of people it is going to affect.” "He helped so many people, he had such a big f***ing heart." The father-of-three was a project manager at Innate Developments - a company that specialises in residential and commercial construction. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie shared their condolences for the family, saying: "Any life lost on Queensland roads is one too many and we must do anything we can to ensure safety on our roads." "If it's under police investigation obviously police must investigate the circumstances of what happened but there are communities hurting and families hurting." Police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the collision. Image: LinkedIn

Caring

Big change for new buses after Hunter Valley crash

Australian buses and coaches fitted with seatbelts will soon be required to have announcements reminding people to buckle up, following the tragic Hunter Valley bus crash that killed 10 people almost two years ago. On Tuesday, the federal government announced that the new rule will require these vehicles to include visual and audio alerts reminding passengers to buckle up, similar to those on airplanes. “Travelling by bus is one of the safest forms of transport in Australia, and these new audible and visual signage requirements will ensure this continues to be the case,” federal assistant Regional Development Minister Anthony Chisholm said. The government also announced it had closed a loophole where some buses with seats under 1m high were exempted from requiring seatbelts. Under the regulations, all new bus and coach models must comply by November 1, 2026, while existing models will need to make the changes by November 1, 2027. “These safety outcomes further improve what is generally regarded as the most stringent seatbelt rules for buses in the world,” Bus industry confederation chair Tony Hopkins said. “With seat belt usage currently as low as 7 per cent on some services, this provides a simple but powerful message that reminds bus passengers to fasten a seat belt. “After all, if a seat belt is provided in a bus it must be worn by law.” Image: Mino Surkala / Shutterstock.com

Domestic Travel

Victorian plane crash victims identified

Three young men have been killed after a light plane crash in eastern Victoria at around 5.45pm on Saturday. Pilot Luke Smith, 20, his younger brother Ben Smith, 16, and their cousin Dustin Daly, 15, were on board the plane when it crashed into a paddock and burst into flames at Tinamba West in east Gippsland. They were only 15 minutes into the flight, which took off from West Sale airport, when the tragic incident occurred. The plane was reportedly seen circling several times, with witnesses saying they heard a strange sound coming from the aircraft in the moments before the crash. “From accounts that I’ve seen, there may have been circling or manoeuvring to resolve that issue or to try to find somewhere to land and unfortunately, that has happened,” Aviation Projects managing director Keith Tonkin said. Luke Smith has held a pilot licence since 2022 and was also an instructor. His aviation consultant and flying instructor Lorraine MacGillivray has paid tribute to the three young men. “They were all absolutely delightful human beings, and so this is a terrible loss,” MacGillivray said. “The conversations I had with him, he was diligent and he was committed and he was passionate about his flying,” MacGillivray said. “He was also a flight instructor.” The brothers were also heavily involved in the Tongala football and cricket clubs, who have since offered counselling to the grieving regional community. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the crash, with a team of investigators specialising aircraft operations and maintenance looking into what happened. The ATSB described the plane as "amateur-built light aircraft" and will examine the wreckage, interview witnesses and comb through flight tracking data to try and determine what went wrong. “We’ll start looking at the records of the plane itself, and maintenance records and pilot qualifications and the actual tasking or the nature of the flight itself,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. Witnesses who saw the incident or anyone who has photos or videos of the plane have been asked to come forward. Images: 7News

Caring

Heroic kindergarten teacher identified after horror crash

A heroic kindergarten teacher who died saving preschoolers from an out-of-control water tanker that crashed through the school's playground has been identified. Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant worked with children with special needs at the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek in Melbourne’s northwest. Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with a serious upper-body injury following the incident, Ambulance Victoria said. The driver of the truck, 68, is thought to have had a medical episode and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition, but police are still investigating the incident. Sunrise reporter Teegan Dolling paid tribute to Bryant on Tuesday morning, saying, “She is the mum herself of two really young children. She’s been remembered this morning as a very happy speech pathologist, and mum who loved it here at the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School." “What she did yesterday police are saying was heroic. She was working here at the school looking after a three-year-old boy. It was around 2.30pm when the water truck came hurtling down the road, smashed through the play equipment and it was playtime. “The preschoolers were out on the playground. She’s selflessly put herself in harm’s way … saving the life of the three-year-old. “Sadly, she died at the scene. A little boy was rushed to hospital. He’s got injuries to his upper body. As to why this has happened, the police are still investigating. “The scene is cleared here this morning. They believe the 68-year-old truck driver may have had a medical episode.” McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie confirmed that the truck belonged to his company and the driver was understood to have suffered a medical episode, adding that they were "devastated" by the crash and sending their "deepest sympathies" to those affected. Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations led them to believe the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the kindergarten. “It appears there’s some contact with that bridge — we can see some debris,” he said. “There are also some signs on the left-hand side of the road that appear to have been struck as well." “It’s a tragic set of circumstances which actually could have been a lot worse. This is one of those close calls and I don’t know how only one person has died today.” Image credits: Seven

Caring

Kate Ritchie involved in multi-vehicle car crash

Kate Ritchie has been involved in a multi-vehicle car crash in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. The radio host was reportedly behind the wheel of her BMW when the incident unfolded in Randwick, with eye-witnesses claiming Ritchie's care collided with a parked Mitsubishi Pajero, forcefully pushing it off the road and into a parked Kia. The owner of the Kia, who wished to remain anonymous, identified Ritchie as the driver of the BMW and confirmed that Ritchie shared her details with him following the collision. After the exchange, Kate, 46, expressed her need to leave promptly to pick up her nine-year-old daughter, Mae. He added that Kate said her personal assistant would follow up on the matter, and that Ritchie did not appear under the influence of alcohol, although no roadside sobriety test was administered by police. All three vehicles involved suffered substantial damage and were later towed away from the suburban street. Daily Mail Australia reached out to NSW Police who provided the following statement. "About 5.10pm on Wednesday (6 November 2024) emergency services were called to Dudley Street, Randwick, following reports of a crash," the statement read. "Officers attached to Eastern Beaches Police Area Command commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Inquiries revealed a BMW SUV crashed into a parked car." "The 46-year-old female driver of the SUV and the owner of the parked car exchanged details. No injuries were reported. No police action was required." Image credits: Instagram - ABC

Legal

Grieving father pays tribute to young son killed in school crash

The heart-broken father of the young boy who was killed when a car crashed through his school gate has spoken out about his profound loss. Jack Davey was sitting with friends when a car slammed through a fence and into a group of Year 5 students at Auburn South Primary School on Tuesday afternoon. He was critically injured and died on the way to hospital, while four other children were also injured. As tributes for the young boy have started to emerge in the days following the accident, Jack’s father has also now publicly spoken for the first time following his son’s death. In a moving tribute, Mike Davey said he couldn’t imagine spending the rest of his life without his “beautiful” boy. “Our beautiful son. A shooting star who blessed us for 11 years with love, friendship and kindness,” he said. “You were my inspiration and motivation. I cannot comprehend the life ahead without you." “My mate, my champ, my Jackie-boi. Godspeed, until we meet again ... I love you.” His mother, dad and siblings visited a growing memorial for the student outside the school on Wednesday afternoon to read all the messages left in his honour. His father wore his son’s backpack and his two sisters left teddy bears. School mum and friend of the family Lucy Pristel along with some of the other school mums, decided to launch a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-davey" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:GoFundMe;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" data-rapid_p="15" data-v9y="1">GoFundMe</a> to help "ease the burden" of funeral costs, adding, "We just wanted to make life as easy as possible." In a matter of hours, the fundraiser has exceeded its goal, and at the time of writing over $160,000 has been <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/boy-s-tragic-death-in-school-crash-sparks-incredible-community-response" target="_blank" rel="noopener">donated</a> by the community. Image credits: GoFundMe

Caring

Boy's tragic death in school crash sparks incredible community response

The 11-year-old boy who tragically died after a car <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/child-dies-after-car-crashes-through-school-gate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crashed</a> through his school's gate has been identified, with a family friend sharing more details about the horrific accident. Jack Davey was sitting with friends when a car slammed through a fence and into a group of Year 5 students at Auburn South Primary School on Tuesday afternoon. He was critically injured and died on the way to hospital, while four other children were also injured. School mum and friend of the family Lucy Pristel told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/incredible-response-after-boys-tragic-death-in-melbourne-school-crash-052951244.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News</a> the shocking incident has "affected" the entire "close-knit" community. “I have no words, to be honest with you. They are the most beautiful family. They would do anything for anyone,” she said. Lucy's own 11-year-old son, who is also a student at the school and played basketball with Jack, witnessed the tragedy unfold before his eyes. "Unfortunately a lot of the kids saw what happened," she said. "It's affected everybody. The school has offered councillors to us all, so there's been a lot of support. We're a close-knit community." To help support the grieving family, Lucy, along with some of the other school mums, decided to launch a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-davey" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:GoFundMe;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" data-rapid_p="15" data-v9y="1">GoFundMe</a> to help "ease the burden" of funeral costs, adding, "We just wanted to make life as easy as possible." In a matter of hours, the fundraiser has exceeded its goal, and at the time of writing over $140,000 has bee donated by the community. Lucy recalled the moment she found out about the horror that unfolded at the school on Tuesday afternoon, saying she didn't realise the extent of what had happened at first. "I actually drove past the school after it happened and didn't think much of it," she admitted. "Then I started hearing about it." "I ran down to the school... you could see parents for at least 300, 400 metres and I saw everyone hugging. That's when I knew something happened at our school [and not one of the others close by]." Ever since then, "everyone has just bound together," she said sharing the "pure horror" felt by everyone. Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Child dies after car crashes through school gate

One child has died and another four kids have been left injured after a car crash through a school gate in the east Melbourne suburb of Auburn. Emergency services were called to Auburn South Primary School in Hawthorn East on Tuesday afternoon after a car veered off the road and into the primary school's gate. The car collided with a table where five children were sitting. Two 11-year-old girls, one 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were all taken to hospital with serious injuries. An 11-year-old boy was taken to hospital with critical injuries, and later died. The driver of the vehicle was identified as a 40-year-old woman who was local to the area, and was arrested at the scene. A primary school-aged was also in the car at the time of the crash but remained unharmed. Victoria Police Inspector Craig McEvoy said the driver was attempting a U-turn before veering off the road, and it appeared the crash was an accident. "It's tragic circumstances ... really tough for everyone involved," McEvoy said. "It's always a tough time when children are involved." "The ongoing investigation will take days, weeks, months," Inspector McEvoy added. Premier Jacinta Allan also commented on the incident, saying it should have been an "unremarkable sunny day" at the school. "Instead, a dark shadow has been cast over our city and state," she wrote on X. "I'm sending my love and thoughts to the students, their families and the whole school communityAnd my thanks to the first responders on the scene," she said. "I know tonight Victorians will be thinking of Auburn South Primary, and holding our kids even closer." Image credits: ABC News / Nine News

Caring

Radio host almost paralysed after horrific bike crash

Brisbane radio host Ben Dobbin is lucky to be alive after breaking his neck in a horrific bike crash. Dobbin, 48, was training for the Noose triathlon on Wednesday when he swerved to miss a snake on the road. The Triple M presenter crashed and was rushed to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured C5 vertebrae, and he underwent surgery on Thursday night. While on the road to recovery, he told the <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/triple-m-star-ben-dobbins-horrific-bike-crash-leaves-him-hospitalised-with-broken-neck-and-spinal-injuries/news-story/3ceade005e05dc46bd9a197f352886d8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunday Mail </a>that he was “that close” to being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life that it was “not funny”. “My front tyre clipped his back tyre and I lost control, shot across [the road], got spat out and went head first into the one and only steel pole,” he said. He recalled how the neurosurgeon that operated on him through his throat also told the father-of-five that there’s a risk he could lose his voice altogether, saying, “I told him ‘that’s my career’ and he said ‘my priority is to save you from being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life.’” Despite telling the outlet that “most people who have this type of injury don’t ever walk again”, Dobbin was up and taking his first few steps on Friday. “I don’t know how long I’ll be in hospital for, they haven’t told me,” he said. “I’ve been in agony, but it’s more the mental side of things that’s harder to deal with, if I’m honest." “I know one thing, I’ll never get on a bike again.” Dobbins co-hosts Leisel Jones and Liam Flanagan on The Rush Hour with Leisel, Liam and Dobbo informed listeners of the accident on Wednesday, saying that Dobbin was expected to make a “full recovery”. Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Charges dropped over crash that killed five people

The elderly driver who was charged after his car crashed into a pub in Victoria, resulting in the deaths of two children and three adults, will walk free after charges against him were dropped. William Herbert Swale, 66, had all charges dismissed after a magistrate ruled the evidence against him was “so weak”. Mr Swale's lawyers successfully argued his actions were not voluntary because he was in a state of severe hypoglycaemia, as he is an insulin-dependent diabetic. The devastating crash occurred on November 5th 2023, when Mr Swale's car sped down a hill before crashing into an outdoor dining area outside The Royal Daylesford Hotel. Pratibha Sharma, her husband Jatin Chugh, and her daughter Anvi were enjoying the last of the weekend at the pub when Mr Swale's BMW crashed through the pub. Sharma and Chugh <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/entire-town-in-mourning-as-daylesford-crash-victims-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died</a> at the scene, while nine-year-old Anvi was flown to hospital but did not survive her injuries and was later pronounced dead. The family were joined by their friends, Vivek Bhatia, 38, his wife, and their two kids at the pub. Vivek and his 11-year-old son Vihaan were both killed in the crash, while the 36-year-old woman, and a second son, aged six, were taken to hospital for their injuries and survived. Initially rushed to hospital after the crash, Mr Swale was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/major-update-in-daylesford-crash-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged</a> with 14 offences following a month-long police investigation. Prosecutors alleged that as a type-1 diabetic of 30 years, Mr Swale should've known not to be driving while in a state of hypoglycaemia, alleging gross negligence. After a three-day hearing, Magistrate Guillaume Bailin determined the evidence against Mr Swale was so flawed it should not be sent to a higher court for a jury trial, and instead dismissed all charges. “It is reasonably possible the accused was suffering a severe hypoglycemic event; the result of which means his actions in driving from 5.36pm onwards were not voluntary,” Magistrate Bailin said. “The evidence is so weak that the prospects of convictions are minimal." Image credits: ABC News / Magistrates' Court of Victoria

Legal

Hunter Valley bus driver learns his fate

The judge has handed down his sentence to Hunter Valley bus driver Brett Button, who was behind the wheel of one of Australia's deadliest crashes that killed 10 people and injured 25 others. After a three-day hearing, Button, 59, was sentenced before Judge Roy Ellis at Newcastle District Court on Wednesday afternoon to 32 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 24 years beginning May 8th. He will be eligible for release on parole on May 7th, 2048. When the judge read his sentence, gasps were heard within the courtroom from survivors of the crash, while many victims' families broke down in tears. In sentencing, Judge Ellis said Button was under the influence of the opioid-based painkiller tramadol and had “abandoned his responsibility” to his 35 passengers at the time of the crash. “Words cannot adequately express the pain, anger, and sadness that permeated the first two days of these proceedings as victim impact statement after victim impact statement was read by and for absolutely distraught, depressed, and devastated family members of the deceased and survivors," Judge Ellis said. Judge Ellis said that in his 50 years in the justice system he had never “dealt with, seen, or even read about a case that involved anywhere near the same extent of extraordinary devastation”. “Surviving passengers described the trauma of their injuries and scenes of the crash, with unwanted memory of the carnage still present and easily triggered,” Judge Ellis told the court. Outside the courtroom after the sentence had been handed down, Leoni Bowey, who lost her sister Nadene McBride and niece Kyah McBride in the crash, said the family was surprised by the result but she didn’t “think there was ever an end to this”. “I don’t think closure ever happens,” she said. “Listening to the stories, I realised many of the victims that were on the bus that night are all living with trauma, depression, and anxiety - all things that will be with us for the rest of our lives." “I was having an anxiety attack because it was taking so long to get the numbers, and I had no idea what it all meant... but I will say I didn’t think we would get that sentence. I am really surprised.” <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Image credits: 7News

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