Toll may rise as Jessica’s life support turned off
THE life support of Home and Away actress Jessica Falkholt has been turned off, after the horrific Boxing Day crash that killed three members of her family.
Sydney’s St George Hospital confirmed yesterday the 29-year-old’s support was switched off on Thursday – the day after the funeral for her sister Annabelle, 21, and parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60.
Jessica remained in a critical condition yesterday.
Fans and supporters began to pay tribute to the much-loved actress online.
Home and Away’s official Facebook page shared the news with the tribute: “Rest in peace beautiful Jess.”
Thousands of fans left comments at the “devastating news” her life support had been switched off.
Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph revealed Craig Whitall, 50, the driver of the other car involved, who also died in the crash, had more than 60 traffic convictions to his name.
At least 10 were for driving while disqualified. He had been subject to a nine-year driving ban and served jail time for driving offences.
On P plates for only a year after getting his licence back, he was driving home from a methadone clinic when his car collided with the family of four.
Methadone is commonly taken as a replacement for heroin and other opioids as part of treatment for drug dependency, with users often travelling to government supported methadone clinics across NSW.
The Falkholt parents were killed in the collision after a
family Christmas at Ulladulla. The sisters were pulled from the wreckage of the car by witnesses before it burst into flames.
Annabelle was sent to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition but died three days later.
Jessica underwent several surgeries, including the removal of a kidney and part
of her skull, but remained in a coma at St George Hospital.
Whitall’s mother, Trish, told Seven News she didn’t like hearing people speak badly about her son.
“The worst part is, he has grandkids that can read, that are listening to it,” she said.