Mum of Thai crash victim killed in US
An Australian woman killed in a horror traffic accident in the US has been remembered as the 'rock' of her family who was 'adored by all who knew her'.
Julie Fitzsimons, 65, was killed when she was struck by a vehicle across from Wyoming Rib & Chop House in Sheridan, Wyoming, according to local media.
The Sheridan Press reported that Ms Fitzsimons died of blunt force trauma after she was rushed to Sheridan Memorial Hospital, where she pronounced dead.
Ms Fitzsimons' daughter Kate Fitzsimons broke the news on Friday in a post to the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation Instagram account, a charity run by the pair.
'With broken hearts we share the devastating news that we lost our beautiful Mum and the heartbeat of Nicole's Foundation, Julie Fitzsimons, in an accident yesterday,' Kate wrote.
'She was the rock of our family, a joy to be around and adored by all who knew her.
'We are absolutely shattered and ask for space as we navigate the difficult process of bringing her back home. Once we are ready, we will share more details on her celebration of life.
'For now, we find some solace in knowing she's reunited with her beloved daughter, Nicole. The Fitzy family will never be the same, but we will rebuild once again in their honour – just like they would want us to.'
Kate is director and presenter at the Nicole Fitzsimons Foundation, a charity set up in honour of her sister who was killed in a motorbike accident in Thailand.
The charity aims to provide travel safety education for young travellers as well as financial assistance for young Australians in the performing arts and sport.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Brookfield Nurses $1.3 Billion Loss in Australia
Welcome to The Brink. I'm Sharon Klyne, a reporter in Sydney, where I'm looking at Brookfield's failed bet on an Australian hospital group. We also have news on disqualified lender lists, QVC Group, New World and EchoStar. Follow this link to subscribe. Send us feedback and tips at debtnews@ Healthscope, an Australian hospital group owned by Brookfield, entered into administration this week, leaving one of the world's largest alternative asset managers nursing an estimated A$2 billion ($1.3 billion) loss, according to people familiar with the matter.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Killer thriller: Jai Courtney sinks teeth into 'Dangerous Animals'
A serial killer and the hardened survivalist he aims to murder head out into shark-infested waters with not another soul in sight for miles. It sounds like the movie remix of the year. But to actor Jai Courtney, putting together serial killers and sharks in the same movie 'is the genre mashup of our dreams.' In Dangerous Animals, opening Friday, Courtney, 39, plays Tucker a deranged serial killer who uses sharks to sadistically dispatch his unsuspecting victims. He takes tourists visiting Australia out to sea for an up-close encounter with the deadly animals — with an emphasis on up close. 'It's a lot of fun,' the Aussie actor says with a chuckle via Zoom following the premiere of the horror thriller at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month. 'It mangles those two — sharks and serial killers — together, but at the centre of it, it's a survival thriller.' Courtney's psychotic boatman gets his kicks kidnapping unsuspecting visitors and feeding them to hungry sharks as he films the proceedings for his very own snuff movie collection. When we meet him, it seems that Tucker has been feeding live bait to the hungry predators for quite some time. Like the sharks he's so fond of, Tucker has become adept at seeking out his prey, targeting backpackers and vagabonds. After one gruesome kill, he celebrates by dancing around the main cabin in his underwear and a robe to Stevie Wright's 1974 classic, Evie (Let Your Hair Hang Down). But he meets his match when he abducts a tough loner named Zephyr (played by Yellowstone star Hassie Harrison) who threatens to end his savage streak. At the first sign of resistance, Tucker seems to relish the challenge Zephyr presents. 'Makes for a better show,' he says, sneering. 'This was such a different and unique world,' Courtney says of playing the madman. 'There's a menace to him and a maniacal obsessiveness that's like fodder for an actor to grab hold of and chew on … He's an enthusiast and someone with a deranged philosophy about how he fits into the ecosystem as an apex predator.' Director Sean Byrne, who made his mark as a horror auteur with his debut The Loved Ones, which won the Midnight Madness audience prize at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, ratchets up the tension as Zephyr tries to save herself. Playing the foil to Harrison's determined heroine allowed Courtney to add to a roster of villains that includes an antagonist opposite Tom Cruise in 2012's Jack Reacher and the DC antihero Captain Boomerang in Suicide Squad. After landing his breakout role alongside Cruise right out of the gate, Courtney joined a list of Australian actors, including Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe and the late Heath Ledger, who became sought after quickly making their mark on Hollywood. Working with Cruise, he says, offered him an early education on professionalism and career longevity. 'Having Tom Cruise as the lead in the first big film I ever did was a true gift,' Courtney says. 'No one is as hard a worker as he is. It's an inspiration to see that kind of ethic and see someone care so much about (their work). To see him still killing it at 60-something … he's still making some of the most exciting films out there. He continues to be an inspiration for me.' Joining forces with Cruise led to work with Bruce Willis in 2013's A Good Day to Die Hard, the fifth and final entry in the long-running action series. He also booked a role as future resistance soldier Kyle Reese in 2015's Terminator: Genisys. A year later, he partnered with fellow Aussie Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad (a part he reprised in a 2021 sequel). 'I had a chance to share the screen with some real icons and that was a real privilege and an honour,' he says looking back on his meteoric rise. 'I've been part of some really cool classic action-franchise stuff.' Other notable roles followed, including a part in The Divergent Series. More recently, after welcoming a daughter with his partner, Saudi actress Dina Shihabi, he has appeared alongside Chris Pratt in Amazon's The Terminal List. Next up, he'll co-star in Netflix's forthcoming sci-fi thriller War Machine with Reacher star Alan Ritchson. But when his agent calls with the offer of another villain, he'll be all ears. 'There's just a lot of colour in there that you get to play with when you play those guys,' Courtney says. 'I'm no stranger to playing a bad guy. I'll probably continue that trend for years to come … hopefully.' Dangerous Animals opens in theatres Friday, June 6. mdaniell@ 'Terminator Genisys': Jai Courtney says new entry into series not a reboot or a prequel Aussie Jai Courtney talks about 'big' 'Die Hard' role
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-badu-gili-sydney-opera-house-NOCTOURISMAUS0525-5a0c1a7051144f80a67190558eb3135d.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
4 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
Australia Is Even Better After Dark—From Torchlit Tours and Open-air Theater to Rooftop Climbs Under the Stars
As far as travel trends go, none are making a splash in 2025 quite as hard as "noctourism." In fact, named it the No. 1 travel trend of the year. And yes, it's exactly what it sounds like: nocturnal tourism, ensuring people don't just see their favorite destinations in the daylight. This trend is all about what happens in these spots after dark. And few spots are as spectacular after the sun goes down as Australia. "We're seeing an increase in visitors coming specifically for the night sky, but also for our nocturnal wildlife tours and dark-sky experiences," Sarah Clark, the chief executive of Tourism Tasmania, recently shared with ABC. "Tourists are coming for the natural beauty during the day, but staying for the nighttime spectacles like the aurora. It's a major driver for visitors, particularly from international markets." And while certainly gorgeous, travelers should stay up late for far more than the aurora. From torchlit prison tours and twilight roof climbs, to artistic illuminations and private after-hours museum access, these seven nighttime experiences from Cultural Attractions of Australia members will make your next night visit to Australia all the more memorable. Badu Gili projections depicting Celestial Navigation are seen on the Opera House sails. Every evening, the Sydney Opera House transforms into a glowing canvas as Badu Gili , which translates to 'water light' in Gadigal language, illuminates the eastern Bennelong sails with spectacular First Nations art. The free art exhibit runs multiple times each evening after sunset, so check here for the full schedule. Visit Western Australia's only UNESCO World Heritage site after dark with a spooky and educational nighttime tour. The Torchlight Tour at Fremantle Prison takes visitors into the cells, tunnels, and courtyards of the prison, all by handheld light, with guides recounting the stories of those imprisoned in the 19th-century penitentiary. Book a tour here. Live out a real-life "Night at the Museum" experience at Canberra's National Gallery, which opens its doors after hours for select Night at the Gallery events. Get access to marquee exhibitions, performances by local creatives, food and drink pop-ups, and a more intimate vibe than your average daytime visit. See exhibition dates here. Visitors climb the roof of the Adelaide Oval. Get a bird's-eye view of South Australia's capital by signing up for the RoofClimb Twilight experience. As the sun sets, guests will strap in and ascend the curved rooftop of the Adelaide Oval, a historic sports arena, taking them all the way to the top. There, guests can gaze upon the twinkling city lights and the River Torrens below. Book your climb here. Aura is far from your average historic reenactment. This immersive nighttime show at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat includes projection mapping, storytelling, and sound design to help guests more deeply understand the impact of the discovery of gold in the area. Learn about the chapters of Australia's history by booking the experience here. The company of Carmen during a media preview of Handa Opera's production of Carmen at Sydney Harbour. James D. Morgan/Getty Images Experience the magic of live theater under the stars with open-air productions at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbor. With seats over the water, the stars above, and the Sydney skyline behind you, it certainly has cinematic appeal. See what's coming to the stage for your next visit here. Travelers can sit down for one of the most exclusive meals in the world with Dinner With David at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). The event, hosted by MONA founder David Walsh, is a rare experience that brings each guest into his orbit for an evening of food, wine, and unforgettable conversation. Get a seat at the table here.
