Latest news with #CourierMail
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Queensland flight examiner's last words to wife just hours before fatal plane crash claimed his life revealed
The longtime wife of a man who died following a tragic plane crash over the weekend has revealed the last words he spoke to her just hours before take-off. Flight examiner and war veteran Robert 'Bob' Molony was one of two men onboard an Aero Logistics aircraft which crashed west of Toowoomba, Queensland on Sunday afternoon. Emergency responders rushed to scene at Devon Park near Oakley at about 3.10pm following reports of a crash, with police saying in a statement the two male occupants of the aircraft were declared dead at the scene. Pilot Wayne Saunders has been identified as the other man onboard the 35-year-old French made twin turboprop Reims Cessna F406 that took off from Warwick Airport. The Courier Mail reports Stephanie Molony, who had been married to Mr Molony for nearly three decades, has said her husband will leave a legacy of having been 'one of the most experienced pilots around'. 'I'm so proud of him and the person he was for the industry, that they've now got people like him to aspire to be,' she said. Ms Molony also revealed she and the 78-year-old had shopped for fruit trees at a Bunnings on Sunday morning before her husband's flight that afternoon. She said the flight examiner had yelled to her 'I'll be home at 4pm to plant those trees' as he walked out the door. 'There was nothing extra about it, just as simple as that,' she said. 'It got to 4.30pm and I tried ringing his mobile and it went to message bank. Ms Molony drove to the airport the plane had departed from and discovered her husband's parked car, before police then arrived to deliver the news, according to the masthead. It comes after the chief executive of Aero Logistics – an Archerfield-based aircraft charter and rental service – described Sunday's incident as 'tragedy'. 'This is a terrible tragedy for the two people on-board the aircraft and their families, friends and workmates,' chief executive Ben Smee said on Monday. 'This is a devastating loss for everyone who knew them. 'We have offered our support and assistance to their families as they come to terms with the situation. We have also made counselling services available for our staff.' An investigation into determining the cause of the crash could take up to six weeks, according to the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB). Mr Molony, originally from Brisbane, was a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot who was deployed to South Vietnam as a Canberra bomber navigator, having amassed more than 14,000 flight hours over his career. The ATSB has said its investigation involves a team of investigators from Brisbane and Cairns. 'Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including site and wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB's technical facilities in Canberra,' a statement said. 'Investigators will also seek to interview involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information."
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Elite Brisbane private girls college All Hallows' School closes after ‘significant event'
A prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Brisbane has been forced to suddenly close after a 'significant event' unfolded. 7NEWS understands a student died over the weekend, with an email sent out to parents at All Hallows' School just before 1.30pm on Tuesday, advising parents of the cancellation of a planned parent teacher event. The school, which accepts female students from years 5 to 12, said it would be closed from 12.30pm with sporting and cultural activities planned for the afternoon also cancelled. The email published by the Courier Mail said children were seen being picked up by parents outside the school about 2pm. 'We apologise for the late notice and appreciate your understanding that this decision was not made lightly,' Acting Deputy Principal Scott Adamson said. 'Further information will be shared by the Principal later this afternoon.' Queensland Police has been contacted for comment. If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sky News AU
Parents of Declan Phillips, 14, fatally struck by car in Brisbane break silence after tragic incident involving teen driver
The parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after being struck by a car in Queensland have spoken publicly following the tragic incident, sharing their 'unbearable' pain. Wynnum State High School student Declan Phillips was walking to school on Wednesday when he was hit by Pajero, with emergency services rushing to the scene about 8.20am. Declan sadly died at the scene of the crash on Berrima St in Wynnum, which was about one kilometre away from the school. The 17-year-old driver, was uninjured in the incident along with a 41-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy who were passengers. The Courier Mail reports the 14-year-old's parents, Lily and and Daniel Phillips, have since released a statement expressing their gratitude to the first responders who attended the crash and sympathising with the teen driver and their family. 'The pain we are feeling is unbearable but we don't know how much worse it would be without the support we have had,' their statement on Friday read. 'We're thankful for all of our family and friends who have surrounded us in love at this time." The parents shared what their son loved to do outside of school and the communities he had been a part of, including playing soccer and his involvement in Scouts. 'We have seen all the beautiful flowers at the roundabout where Declan passed. We would like to have a permanent memorial for Declan placed at the tree at some time,' they said. 'We feel for the driver and his family, he is only a little older than Declan. Declan was looking forward to learning to drive too. What happened to you both could have happened to anyone.' A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Declan's family with burial and funeral costs, and the fundraiser has already raised over $66,000. A family friend said they are also hoping to use any surplus funds to create a public plaque in memory of the 14-year-old. 'Declan had such a promising, bright future,' the family friend wrote on the GoFundMe page. 'He had already started saving towards his first car. He was proud of his achievements and his friends and family were proud of him." In a letter to parents seen by The Courier Mail, Wynnum State High School Principal Sandra Quinn shared the news ''with a heavy heart'' of the tragic passing of a student. 'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation,' the principal said. Police are investigating Wednesday's incident.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Tragedy as learner driver behind the wheel of SUV strikes and kills 14-year-old student
A student has been killed near their school after being struck by a car. Emergency services were called to Tingal Road and Berrima Street in Wynnum, east of Brisbane, about 8.20am on Wednesday. A Mitsubishi Pajero being driven by a 17-year-old struck the 14-year-old one kilometre away from Wynnum State High School. The 4WD, with L-Plates visible in the window, was recovered from underneath the Wynnum Rail Bridge on Berrima Street. Neither the driver nor his two passengers, a 41-year-old female and a 16-year-old male, were injured. Queensland Police are now investigating the crash. Wynnum State High School sent a letter out to parents of children at the school informing them of what had happened. The school has offered support and guidance counselling for students and staff to ensure 'everybody is cared for in the wake of this tragic event'. Principal Sandra Quinn said the Year 9 student was 'much-loved' and a valued member of the community. 'I know that you will join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time,' she wrote, reports the Courier Mail. 'As a tight-knit school community, we share our shock and sadness at the enormity of this situation.' Earlier Tingal Road was closed to traffic with drivers being diverted via either Bride or Burke streets. The Wynnum Rail Bridge, also known as Duck Bridge, is infamous for its 1.9m clearance which is too low for most emergency vehicles to fit under. It is unknown if the bridge impeded emergency efforts.
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘We're done': Reason Aussie influencers are moving overseas
Australia has become known to many as the 'lucky country', but Aussie influencers are leaving the country in droves to pursue opportunities overseas. Successful Queensland-based digital nomads and influencers Brent and Molly — who gained popularity through travelling around Australia in a caravan for two-and-a-half years with their two children — announced this week that they are leaving the country. 'We're leaving Australia. For good. Not for a holiday. Not for a break. Not for a visa run. We're done.' They captioned their social media post. The reasons they listed for leaving included: sky-high taxes, insane cost of living and shrinking opportunities for entrepreneurs. The pair didn't reveal where they were headed, instead asking their followers to guess which country they were jetting off to. 'Easy. Bali' one person commented. 'Great move. I would think it could be Thailand' another guessed. 'USA' was a repeated guess from many, perhaps due to the fact that the family of four have just returned from a trip to America and Mexico. The pair dismissed some of the guesses in an Instagram story, without revealing where they were moving. 'Is it Bali or Thailand? No definitely not . . .lots of people do but definitely not for us,' they clarified. The announcement comes just months after Gold-Coast based TikTok star Kat Clark announced her move to the US. Many were surprised despite her husband and 14-year-old daughter Deja joining her, she was leaving behind her 22-year-old daughter Latisha. A teary farewell hug at Brisbane Airport as Kat, Jonathan and Deja say goodbye to Latisha before starting their new life in LA. Credit: Instagram The family-focused content creator with 7.4m followers claimed the reason that she was leaving was due to the career opportunities available in the US—particularly TikTok's Creator Rewards program— which is not available in Australia. 'We've had some opportunities come up in America and we're going to give it a go,' the Courier Mail claims Clark said. While some welcomed the news of Clark's move, many were quick to question her relocation to the US given the current political climate. 'I'm sorry, no opportunity could convince me to move to America (right now) it's literally turning into a hell hole,' one person said. 'Why on earth anyone would want to move to America from Australia is beyond me' another commented.
