Cruel twist to a tragedy
“She lived long enough to hear his name cleared,’’ her grieving husband John, a retired Australian Army doctor, told News Corp.
“It was ruled an accidental death, there was no blame, and she felt the coroner handled all issues fairly.
“It did give her some relief in the end.
“But as a loving mum she never really got over the heartache and tragedy of Toby’s death.”
In the nation’s worst skydive accident, mother-of-eight Kerri Pike, 54, on a jump for her birthday, tandem instructor Peter Dawson, 35, and solo skydiver Mr Turner, both highly experienced with thousands of jumps, were killed instantly on October 13, 2017.
Mrs Turner, who appeared as the legal representative for her son, was a picture of dignity at the inquest even as harrowing footage showed the final moments when her son’s main parachute prematurely deployed, killing all three.
Gopro video from a camera on Mr Dawson’s wrist captured the ill-fated jump from 14,000ft before it cut out on deadly impact. At the inquest, Mrs Turner supplied News Corp with a photo of her on a Mother’s Day tandem jump with son Toby – showing the pair together, soaring high in the sky at sunset – to share the love and joy of “happier times”.
“She told the family that all her work in the law had culminated in her ability to represent Toby’s interests at the inquest,’’ Dr Turner, supported by son Tristan and daughter Sophia, said.
“And although stressful that had been the most rewarding duty of her legal career.”
Latest medical studies show that stress can accelerate the development of pancreatic cancer by triggering the release of “fight-or-flight” hormones, according to Columbia University research.
“It’s a nasty, cruel twist to a tragic saga,” Dr Turner said.
“She was so full of life, but two months ago complained of tummy ache. We found she was riddled with cancer.
“It was very quick – seven weeks from diagnosis to passing away on Wednesday night.
“It is a notoriously lethal cancer that can be, paradoxically, brought on by stress.
“Just as we were trying to get closure in one family tragedy, we’ve been hit by another.
“It feels really cruel this should happen so soon after Toby’s loss.’’
North Queensland’s legal fraternity paid tribute to the Regional Queensland Woman Lawyer of the Year (2011), family dispute resolution expert, legal aid worker and law lecturer.
“(Diane) was a great friend to many of us,” the Townsville District Law Association said.
“(She) will always be remembered for her thoughtfulness, kindness, strength and grace”.