Remembering Roy
● Coast honours cricket star ● Sad details of the accident ● Tributes pour in
THE cricket world is in mourning following the death of popular former Test allrounder Andrew Symonds in a car accident.
Symonds was driving up Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge about 50km outside Townsville, just after 11pm Saturday when the car left the road and rolled.
Paramedics attempted to revive Symonds but he died at the scene as a result of his injuries.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash.
The flamboyant all-rounder was one of cricket’s most popular characters during the peak of his career, before forging a successful run as a media identity on Fox Sports.
He played 26 Tests and was a crucial member of Australia’s all-conquering oneday side, twice helping deliver World Cup glory.
Symonds, known by the nickname ‘Roy’, was 46.
His death follows the tragic passing of long-time teammate Shane Warne and fellow legend Rod Marsh, who both died of heart attacks in March.
“Andrew Symonds was one of a kind,” said Fox Sports Executive Director Steve Crawley in a statement.
“We awake to this shocking news and our deepest sympathies are with his wife Laura, two children and all of his work mates and dear friends throughout Fox Sports and the Cricket fraternity.”
As the world came to grips with the loss yesterday, details about the tragic accident came to light with a couple who rushed to the scene saying Symonds’ dogs refused to leave his side as they desperately tried to help him.
Babetha Neliman and her partner Waylon Townson were first to the scene, finding Symonds in his vehicle about two minutes after he crashed.
“When we got there we could see a car upside down with a man in it,” Ms Neliman said.
Symonds’ car was still on and country music was playing. The car’s hazard lights were flashing. They found Symonds partly out of the vehicle, on the passenger side, but he was unresponsive.
The couple called 000 and were told to check his pulse but they said they could not find one.
“My partner tried to get him out of the car, to put him on to his back,” she said.
“He was unconscious, not responsive and had no pulse.”
She said his two dogs, blue heelers, were in the car and survived.
“One of them was very sensitive and didn’t want to leave him,” Ms Neliman said.
“It would just growl at you every time we tried to move him or go near him.”
The crash happened on a 100kmh section of the road near a bend, she said.
Inspector Gavin Oates said paramedics were at the scene when police arrived.
He said the former cricket star was removed from the wreckage and was being treated next to the vehicle. Police are yet to conduct a blood analysis, which could take a number of weeks.
We are still in shock I’m just thinking of the two kids Laura Symonds’ wife
When Insp Oates was asked if there was any suggestion alcohol was involved he said, “no there is not”.
“Again, as per normal procedure that will be looked at and part of the final report to the coroner,” Insp Oates said.
Insp Oates said the stretch of road wasn’t a known area for crashes. He said it was a normal rural access road.
He said police didn’t know why the former cricket star was travelling there at the time.
“Driving at night time also comes with inherent risk,” Insp Oates said.
“And we always advise people to be cautious when driving late at night, especially on country roads where there are always other obstacles or risks associated with driving in those areas.”
Acting Chief Superintendent Ray Rohweder said the accident was a tragedy.
“It’s just a terrible tragedy as all deaths on our roads are,” he said.
“We just ask people to be mindful of what they are doing whilst they are travelling on our roads.”
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating. Symonds’ family issued a statement confirming his passing and appreciated peoples’ sympathy and best wishes, and asked that their privacy be respected. Symonds’ wife Laura has paid a touching tribute to her late husband and revealed her family’s devastation at his sudden death.
“We are still in shock – I’m just thinking of the two kids,’’ a tearful Laura told News Corp on Sunday morning.
Mark Taylor, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan on Sunday led the tributes from other cricketers.