The father of the two Queensland boys killed by a runaway car in central west NSW says his heart was « ripped out » while preparing to visit his sons at the morgue and the location where they lost their lives.
It comes when the unlicensed driver who allegedly sits behind the wheel of the car that hit them is charged by police and put on trial.
Police claim 25-year-old Jacob Donn was driving a Holden Commodore Tuesday afternoon who climbed the curb and hit four boys aged six, seven, nine and ten.
The mother of the boys killed – Shane, 6, and Sheldon Shorey, 7 – were also hit by the car as the group walked on the grass near the Wellington Water Center.
The 10-year-old has severe leg injuries, the nine-year-old has been discharged from the hospital while the mother remains in stable condition.
Shane and Sheldon lived in Emerald, Queensland with their father Joseph Shorey, but visited their mother and grandparents in Wellington.
Police say Donn allegedly escaped the scene on foot and was arrested about four hours later.
Donn was charged on a list of charges including dangerous driving resulting in death, negligent driving resulting in death, unauthorized driving on the road, failure to stop after an injury, failure to assist after death in a vehicle, and drug possession.
It comes when the boys’ mother remains in the hospital in a coma, unaware that two of her boys, whom she calls « Mama’s protector », never come home.
Mr Shorey said his boys just had « the best Christmas ever » with trampolines, scooters and Santa Claus Lego.
« I love my children for the world, I would do anything for them and give them the best life I can, » Shorey said.
« I cuddled them and they said, ‘Yeah, Dad, I’ll see you on the 17th’ because that’s when I picked you up, » said Mr. Shorey.
Instead, Mr. Shorey said he would meet with detectives and then go to the morgue to see his sons.
« I have agreed that both sides of the family will meet at the hospital and we will go to the accident site, » he said.
The family will hear the boys’ favorite songs and place crosses on the site later today, Shorey said.
A GoFundMe raised more than $ 3,000 to cover funeral expenses for the boys’ funerals.
« (Mr. Shorey) sent his babies home to contact their mother and her mob, and the most tragic accident occurred. Please help him bury his babies with dignity and pride, » the promoter wrote.
A man was arrested after two children were killed, two others and one adult were injured in an alleged car accident in Wellington on Tuesday afternoon.
The 26-year-old was allegedly behind the wheel of a red Holden limousine that met a group of four children under 12 and a woman in her forties on Warne Street in Wellington at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Thirteen rescue workers and four teams of specialists worked to rescue two of the children who were seriously injured but both died on the scene.
The woman and two other children were taken to multiple hospitals including Westmead, Westmead Children’s Hospital, and Orange Hospital. One child was in serious condition.
Acting commander of the Orana Mid-Western Police District Natalie Antaw said the driver allegedly fled the scene before police arrived, but officers managed to locate him in the hours following the incident.
She said the 26-year-old allegedly tried to flee the police again before being arrested and taken to the Dubbo Police Station.
« Apparently an extensive investigation was made … by local detectives and the local police in the search for this man. He was arrested in Wellington after a short foot chase, » said Comm Antaw.
« He is currently helping the police with their investigation … the investigation is still in its infancy. » No fees were charged.
Comm Antaw said all of the affected children were under 12 years old but had not yet been able to confirm how all five people involved were directly related.
She said the group visited Wellington Pool on the same street shortly before the tragedy and asked witnesses with CCTV footage to come forward.
« It is tragic for the entire ward, and our thoughts go completely with family and friends of the little ones and the rest of the Wellington ward, » said Comm Antaw.
« Any type of investigation is being conducted … anyone with dashcam footage or information should contact the police. »
Warne Street-resident retired police officer Herb Smith heard « terrible screams » from the street outside his property before running outside to find « mayhem. »
« I came forward after hearing screams and found the car had stepped onto the sidewalk … people were bustling around, many screaming, screaming and crying hysterically, » said Mr. Smith.
« I didn’t know the kids involved … but scenes like this one that I attended as an investigator are especially annoying. »
Police are investigating whether the driver of the car may have been driving too fast before plowing into the group of five and a fence at the west end of Warne Street.
The driver then left the vehicle and the scene before the police arrived and has not yet been found.
The red Holden with attached P-plates remained trapped in the gate on Tuesday evening and was taped up by the police for further investigation.
« These types of incidents are shocking to all emergency services and witnesses involved … We faced an absolutely devastating scene in Wellington, » said Supt Andrew DeGabriel.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields said the pool council workers were on site after the crash and that the loss of the two children would « tear up » the small town.
He said the council would not hesitate to help the police by delivering CCTV footage from the venue and other public places.
« This is really going to blow the city away, it’s going to really upset everyone for some time. »
Crash Investigation Unit officials will investigate the scene and local police will continue to investigate what caused the tragic crash.
Another violent incident follows over the weekend in Wellington, in which Brad Stanely, 24, was stabbed to death in an alleged brawl on a property on William Street.
A resident who refused to be named said the two incidents were « so unexpected » in the quiet town of Wellington.
People and places
The former national league footballer has set some high goals, including the Paralympics and running the New York Marathon
opinion
Do you long for Aldi, a Mecca, or do you wish that Krispy Kreme wasn’t just a novelty at the airport? We’re going to ask them the big question:
opinion
Like me, you’ve probably been quietly hoping that with COVID under control, we would slide into 2021.
community
Where are you in Mackay on New Year’s Eve?
News
From new businesses to mine expansion to multi-million dollar real estate, the big projects are on display here.
News
GALLERY: Despite all the pain this year from the pandemic, Mackay also had moments of beauty.
crime
WATCH: Three minutes of chaos and destruction ripped the heart out of a community club
weather
Ex-tropical cyclone Imogen causes heavy rains, floods and thunderstorms …
News
Get Discount Binge Streaming and Kayo Live Sports Access
soccer
Pino Giannangelo needs to find new ways to motivate a team that was the gold …
© Mackay Printing and Publishing Company Pty Ltd 2021. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited under Australian law and international treaty.
Ref: https://www.dailymercury.com.au
