On the back of hitting a motorbike rider last week (not my fault, many of you saw my story posted earlier), today I buried the last of three friends this week...
On Friday 22nd October, one of my friends from work, who had previously been with Wulos and myself at the photoshoot we had been doing on base with a Hornet, got behind the wheel of his Holden Commodore with his girlfriend Casey. He was travelling at 180kmh when his car was clipped by a truck merging lanes, sending him into the path of another friend of mine, Brooke, driving in the other direction. All three were killed instantly. Casey, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, flew ten metres thru the air.
Brooke, the only true P-plater despite the media's lies, was the only one doing the correct thing. She was engaged to be married. Casey and Micheal were due to be married next April.
The picture is of the biggest piece of both cars left. The article is full of lies, the driver of the Commodore was not on his P's and I know the car was NOT supercharged. The picture doesn't lie tho. Thanks to Rib_feast from newylaps for scanning the article.
We buried the girls on Wednesday. I met Micheals parents yesterday on behalf of the squadron (Micheal worked with me, he was about 10 months newer than myself), they are the nicest people. It was so tragic, his brother only found out the day before, when he got back from his honeymoon with his new wife.
Today, I lead a convoy of cars, which included his Commodore friends, and the parents of his girlfriend who died with him, down to the full military service in Sydney. I had someone very close to me who knew all the people involved as well with me at the funeral, I appreciate her presence to hold, and her friend. The service was very emotional, most notably when The Last Post was played, and when the gunshot volleys were fired. Both parents were so strong, I got the opportunity to see them both again and give them hugs, they were thankful for all his friends that showed up.
The hardest part has been the brothers of those killed contacting me, asking to talk. Of course, it's the least I can do, but what can you say. The brother of the girlfriend asked if I know why they were speeding - what can I say, I don't have that answer. A moment of idiocy lead to the tragic end of three valuable lives.
Noone is under any illusions of who was in the wrong, but it's too late for placing blame. I want people to take some things away form this, if nothing else:
Don't be a bloody dickhead behind the wheel, for ****s sake.
Value each day that you get, death is both blind and deaf, it doesn't discriminate between the ages of people, nor hear your pleas for one more day, one more week.
This whole last week has been one big train wreck for me, struggling to find solid ground to support so many people around me, from those closest to me out to the extended family. The funeral today was beautiful in the ways it could be, my sincerest condolences to all three families, rest in peace to those who are no longer with us.
Thanks for those that read this, don't bother posting negative replies about Commodore owners, just take from it what you can. Also, thanks to those who have been there for me thru this time, notably DonutKing, I appreciate it.
Regards, Tim
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