Haunting final moments of an Aussie teen tragically killed in a freak paragliding incident while holidaying in Lebanon
Western Sydney teen Hussein Mearbany, 16, was paragliding over the coastal town of Sahel Aalma near the nation's capital Beirut on May 10 when tragedy struck.
It's understood that Hussein slipped from the paragliding harness mid-flight and plunged 300 metres to the ground.
Harrowing footage of the ill-fated journey showed Hussein strapped in front of the instructor as they ran off the edge of a cliff.
Early reports suggest the harness may not have been properly secured.
The paragliding instructor allegedly fled the scene following the incident, local media reported.
The owner of the the paragliding company, which operates out of nearby Jounieh, has since been arrested.
Hussein's shattered family spoke to Al Arabiya Lebanon, calling for authorities to take action against those responsible for his death.
The teen had been holidaying in Lebanon with his mother and siblings when his life was cut short.
The family was just two weeks into the trip.
His father made the mercy dash to Lebanon following the tragedy, where Hussein has been laid to rest.
'When his father heard the news, he flew from Sydney to Lebanon to see him,' Hussein's cousin Sam Merbani told 7news.com.au.
'The day they leave Lebanon is going to be the hardest day of their life.'
His heartbroken family are due to return to Australia this week.
News of the Guildford teen's death has sparked an outpouring of grief back home.
'(He) went to Lebanon for a holiday — full of dreams, excitement, and the energy of youth. Like many young men, he wanted to feel the adrenaline of flying, so he went hang gliding off the mountain peaks of Lebanon,' an online tribute read.
'What was meant to be a moment of thrill became his final moment.
The paragliding operators are understood to have fled the scene following the deatjh
'May Allah grant his family patience and reunite them with him in the highest levels of Jannah.
'And as for us — still breathing, still planning, still distracted — take this as a wake-up call. The only promise in life is death.'
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed consular assistance is being provided to the family of an Australian who died in Lebanon.
'We send our deepest condolences to their family at this difficult time,' a spokesperson said.
'Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.'
The incident comes two months after a grandfather was killed in a hang gliding incident in southern Brazil.
Ricardo Stecanella, 52, was taking off from a mountain in Timbé do Sul, Santa Catarina on Sunday, before tragedy struck.
Terrifying video showed Stecanella gliding towards his left for about 20 seconds and before making a sharp right turn.
The wings then suddenly closed, causing Stecanella to drop 656 feet to the ground.
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The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
My husband killed my kids as revenge for leaving him, but they could have be saved – now I want my babies exhumed
AS ELLIE McCulloch bickered with her ex husband Ron Jonker over who would get custody of the kids, she couldn't believe how unreasonable he was being. Happy for him to see the kids whenever he liked, Ellie wanted her children to have their father in their lives. 8 8 8 But Jonker wanted to hurt her and Ellie underestimated just how far he was willing to go. After losing their custody battle in court bitter Jonker drove his three children miles away from their mum and killed them and himself by filling the car with exhaust fumes. 'He warned if I won in court, he'd make sure I'd lose in the end,' heartbroken Ellie says. 'I begged authorities to take my children away from him. 'I'm devastated that 27 years after my beautiful children were murdered, we still haven't learned that when it comes to children's lives, it's better to be safe than sorry.' Ellie, who lives in Western Australia, was just 15 when she met Jonker, then 21, at her dad David's fishing club. 'We became friends but we didn't start seeing each other until five years later,' says Ellie, now 55. 'By then I was a single mum with a seven-month-old boy named after my dad and Ron had a son with his former wife.' The couple went on to have another boy named Aaron together and got married soon after. When David was six and Aaron was almost four, the couple welcomed their daughter Ashlee. 'All I'd ever wanted in life was to be a mum and I worked hard at being a good one,' Ellie says. 'The kids were my pride and joy. 'David was tall for his age with beautiful blue eyes and blonde hair. He was my little man. He was close to my dad who he called 'Gampa' and he liked fishing and country music. 'Meanwhile Aaron was my quiet one and had a beautiful smile and blue eyes too. 'He and David were best mates and they doted on their blue-eyed baby sister.' Behind closed doors While Ellie thrived off being a parent and loved family life, her relationship with Jonker deteriorated. 'He was verbally abusive and pushed and shoved me,' Ellie says. 'But worse than that he was completely disinterested in the kids and even cruel.' 8 8 Ellie claims there were several occasions when she had seen Jonker physically harm her boys and by the end of September 1998 she ended the relationship moving herself and the kids in with her dad. 'Ron was angry but I tried keeping things civil,' Ellie says. 'I told him he could have the kids over whenever he liked and that he was welcome over for dinner any time. 'I thought we'd work it out.' On Friday, October 2nd, Ron took the kids for the weekend. After a few days he called to ask if he could have the children for a few more days. 'I agreed hoping it was an attempt from him at being a better dad,' Ellie says. 'But when I popped in to see the children, Ron flew into a rage, grabbing me round the throat.' Custody battle begins A few days later Jonker called Ellie to tell he was going to file for full custody of the kids. 'I was distraught,' she admits. 'I loved my kids so much that if I genuinely thought Ron was the better parent, I'd have let him raise them, after all I had been raised by my dad. 'Ron refused to give the kids back and would be violent and abusive when I saw him.' On Monday October 19 1998, three weeks after the couple split, they had the custody hearing. The judge awarded Ellie custody, allowing Jonker two weekends out of three and he was ordered to return the children on October 23rd. 'When I saw Ron outside the court it was like looking at evil and I had a horrific premonition,' Ellie recalls. Killer instincts 'I told my lawyer I was sure he was going to kill our kids and begged her to do something but she said there was nothing she could do as there was no sign he was going to hurt them.' But Ellie was so concerned that she called the police. An officer was sent round to Jonker's home but they reported he was no threat to himself or his children. 'I called the child welfare authorities and begged them to take the kids out of his care,' Ellie recalls. 'I gave them permission to put my kids in the system as long as they were away from him but nobody listened.' On 21st October, Jonker allowed the children to call Ellie and she spoke to Aaron and David briefly. 'They seemed fine and Ron indicated he was bringing them kids back so I was excited,' she says. At around 6.20pm Jonker called and spoke to Ellie's dad David and instructed him to go to the bottom of the drive. 'I assumed he was handing the kids to dad and didn't want to see me,' Ellie says. But David snr only returned with a letter from Jonker. It read: 'I did warn you that if you won in court, you would lose. Murder threats made 'Unless some divine miracle happens the next time you see my kids will be to make a positive ID at the Coroner's Office.' Ellie admits she was 'hysterical' but was able to call the police who arrived 15 minutes later. They consulted with a superior then instructed Ellie to ring Jonker to find out where he was and arrange a meeting. 'After repeated calls, I got through,' Ellie says. 'I told him he could have full custody as long as he didn't hurt the children. 'He agreed to meet me at 8.30pm at a place called Gingin but warned me to come alone.' It was just before 7pm and Gingin was 80 minutes away. 'The cops told me it was too dangerous for me to go and insisted on accompanying me,' Ellie says. 'At 8.20pm he rang and dad answered who stalled him by telling him I was on the way. 'He rang again 20 minutes later, he heard the boys in the background and they were crying 'Gampa help us'.' As the police approached, Jonker caught sight of them and drove off. They followed the car but had to abandon it when Jonker hit 170km. 'He called me afterwards and told me he'd warned me about the police,' Ellie says. 'He said he thought he'd lost them and said 'you've done your dash' then hung up. Where to seek grief support Need professional help with grief? Child Bereavement UK Cruse Bereavement Relate The Good Grief Trust You can also always speak to your GP if you're struggling. You're Not Alone Check out these books, podcasts and apps that all expertly navigate grief… Griefcast: Cariad Lloyd interviews comedians on this award-winning podcast. The Madness Of Grief by Rev Richard Coles (£9.99, W&N): The Strictly fave writes movingly on losing his husband David to alcoholism. Terrible, Thanks For Asking: Podcast host Nora McInerny encourages non-celebs to share how they're really feeling. Good Mourning by Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn (£14.99, Murdoch Books): A guide for people who've suffered sudden loss, like the authors who both lost their mums. Grief Works: Download this for daily meditations and expert tips. How To Grieve Like A Champ by Lianna Champ (£3.99, Red Door Press): A book for improving your relationship with death. 'I knew he meant it was all over now and sobbed, hoping the police would find him again.' But there was no trace of Jonker, 33, and the children until the car was spotted on a quiet bush track by an air force plane the following day. 'A woman officer broke the news to me that Ron and the kids were inside, all dead,' Ellie says. 'I can remember someone putting their arms around me and then being sedated.' Jonker had killed himself and the children with exhaust fumes. Ashlee, 17 months, was in his arms. 'A police friend of dad's advised me not to ID or view the children,' Ellie says. 'I didn't want to go to the funeral, it meant it was real. But of course, I did go. 'When I saw the little white coffins, I almost passed out.' The three children were buried together, with Ashlee dressed in her favourite pair of bunny ears. 'I'd lived for my kids and now I didn't want to live anymore,' Ellie says. 'The only reason I am still here is because otherwise Ron would win. 'I tried blocking everything out with drink and drugs - it broke my dad's heart.' But there was more pain to come for the family. Police blunders uncovered At an inquest in 2000 it was revealed the kids might have been saved if it wasn't for police blunders. They had the 8.30pm meeting time from 7pm but nobody got there until 9.30pm, because it was unclear who was leading the manhunt. The police helicopter was being serviced and the tactical squad was on another job. No roadblocks were set up and when the police did spot Jonkers, they lost him after just one car was in pursuit of him. Officers from another police station couldn't attend because they'd run out of petrol and all the fuel stations were closed. 'It was heartbreaking,' Ellie says. 'After the inquest, I asked for the police files but was told they'd disappeared in transit. 'For another eight years, I was a lost soul.' Then, in 2012, Ellie and her dad moved from Perth to Bunbury, a couple of hours south, for a fresh start, with the father and daughter living next door to one another. 'I met a decent man at last, Richard and dad loved him,' Ellie says. In September 2018, six months after Richard and Ellie were married, David passed away aged 82. 'It's only recently I've felt strong enough to face what happened," Ellie says. 'I can't stand by any longer while these family murder-suicides keep happening. 'So, I'm going to request the police files again, I want accountability. 'The same mistakes are still being made.' Ellie wants to see concerns like hers be taken more seriously. 'If one parent is concerned the other might harm their kids, they should be removed immediately,' she says. 'Give them to the grandparents, just get them out.' Final closure Ellie now wants her children's bodies exhumed to help her gain the final closure she needs. 'I want my babies exhumed and cremated, so they can be with me permanently,' she says. 'When I pass their ashes can be with mine. 'It'll cost about £15,000, which I just don't have. 'I'm considering a GoFundMe but people can be cruel though. 'I've been through so much in my life, I'm not sure I could handle any negative comments so I am still deciding what to do. 'Having their ashes would bring some peace to my life. 'And then at least I'd know that when I pass, I would be with my babies for eternity.' 8 8
Daily Mail
a minute ago
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Oatlands crash driver makes candid admission from behind bars after his car mounted the kerb and killed four children
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Alabama town rocked by horror family-of-four killed in suspected murder-suicide
An Alabama town has been rocked by the murder-suicide of a family of four that police describe 'as tragic as it comes'. The family of four, including two children, were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in their home on Thursday morning, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. Investigators believe Larrica Gaines Smith, 41, and her two kids, Khristian Smith, 15, and Kinsley Smith, 11, were shot dead by her husband, 44-year-old Kenneth O'Neil Smith Jr. Officers arrived at the scene in Daphne, located across the bay from Mobile, in the early morning hours after they received a 'welfare concern' call from a family member. Sheriff Anthony Lowery said the children's cell phones were ringing as authorities investigated the scene, reported 'You know that was their friends,' Lowery said. 'I've been doing this for 29 years. It's only the second time I've had to work a case where the whole family has been killed. 'It looks like some type of domestic issue that escalated into this. It's as tragic as it comes.' Police identified Kenneth as the shooter using forensic and circumstantial evidence found at the scene, including a recovered handgun, according to WALA. 'We will absolutely work this like any other homicide investigation. There is no reason to believe anything happened anywhere else but inside the house,' Lowery said. 'The neighbors are really hurting. This is a quiet neighborhood. They are proud of where they live here.' The sheriff said his department will continue to investigate the crime, but believes it stemmed from a 'domestic issue.' 'We may never get all of the answers because there won't be a suspect to interview or anything along those lines so we'll have to use our forensic techniques as best we can to piece it back together and we'll rely on [that] information,' he said. 'We'll talk to friends and family and coworkers and all those things to try and find out as much as we can.' Crisis response teams have been made available at Daphne High School and Daphne East Elementary School, where the children attended. Neighbor Shannon Brannon told the local news that she is in shock and described the Smiths' as 'just the nicest, sweetest family'. 'Their kids were so sweet. They babysat my daughter. Just good people. She just told me they celebrated their wedding anniversary two weeks ago and was happy about it, so I just don't understand. I don't understand how this could happen,' she said. Larrica worked as a realtor and her former colleague Sue Lyon, owner of Exit Realty Lyon, told the outlet she was stunned by the news. 'You'd just kind of imagine it would be a certain type of family that would happen to and you'd never think something like that would happen to them because she was always so quiet and polite and everything, but I mean…it's horrible,' Lyon said. Larrica stopped working at the agency is 2018, but Lyon said she was a talented realtor and unforgettable. 'She was so sweet, she was very quiet,' she said. 'She was the kind of person that you just thought, man she's gonna work so great in real estate.'
