Placeholder Content Image

Husband charged over wife’s death in Hamilton Island buggy crash

<p dir="ltr">The husband of a woman <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/update-to-tragic-honeymoon-death-on-hamilton-island">who died in a buggy crash</a> during their honeymoon has been charged in relation to her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna and Robbie Awad were wed on June 11, 2022, before heading to Queensland’s Hamilton Island for their honeymoon two days later.</p> <p dir="ltr">On June 20, a ride in a golf buggy went horribly wrong, with the 29-year-old bride suffering critical injuries after the electric vehicle flipped over.</p> <p dir="ltr">Initial reports claimed the buggy had started to run out of the battery and Mr Awad, who was driving, made a U-turn to drive back and charge it when it flipped over.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Hanna was allegedly not wearing her seat belt, and fell out of the vehicle, dying at the scene.</p> <p dir="ltr">While police initially said the incident was nothing more than “a tragic accident”, an extensive police investigation has resulted in several charges laid against Mr Awad, including driving without due care and attention, seatbelt offences, and using a mobile phone while driving.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 30-year-old is due to face the Proserpine Magistrates Court on December 5.</p> <p dir="ltr">He reportedly presented to Queensland Police last week, per the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11432643/Hamilton-Island-Robbie-Awad-Marina-Hanna-golf-buggy-charged.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em>, after he was asked to hand himself in.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of her death, Mr Awad <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/heartbroken-husband-speaks-after-honeymoon-tragedy">took to social media to share his heartbreak</a>, writing that his heart was broken and his world shattered after losing “the most beautiful girl in the world”.</p> <p dir="ltr">During an interview in July, he said his wife had “never looked so beautiful” as they boarded a helicopter to fly over the island the day before the accident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was radiating before she left [this life]. 'It was because God was calling her home,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“She is an angel. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There are no two ways about it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Clips shared on Instagram show the couple walking across the tarmac to board their Qantas flight to Queensland at the start of their trip, as well as the interior of their plush resort upon their arrival.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another, posted before Ms Hanna’s death, showed Mr Awad driving the buggy to their resort while she filmed the scenery from the passenger seat.</p> <p dir="ltr">After her passing, Mr Awad started a non-for-profit organisation in Ms Hanna’s name to “spread love, joy and kindness to the world” like she did.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The foundation will hold two major events every year, each year going forward,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The first will be a charity ball, the second will be a family fun day, as Marina held family close to her heart always.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a41e15d7-7fff-4d35-2476-30b3bdc712f6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Calls for new rules surrounding golf carts

<p dir="ltr">There are calls for golf cart drivers to pass a driving test and obtain a licence before getting behind t</p> <p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna, 29, and husband Robbie Morgan married in a lavish wedding in Sydney’s Doltone House on June 11.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ten days later, the loved up couple jetsetted to Queensland’s Hamilton Island to celebrate their honeymoon and were travelling in a golf cart when Marina fell after Robbie tried to do a U-turn. </p> <p dir="ltr">A doctor, off-duty dentist and off-duty firefighter rushed to the scene and desperately performed CPR for 35 minutes on Marina, who unfortunately could not be revived.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following this awful incident, Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scrub has called on golf carts to be banned on the holiday island. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It was out of control when I was there. I was having to jump out of the way of them,” he said of the holiday island. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It just seemed like most of the people there had no idea how to use them and it was the first time they'd used them. They seemed to be very flimsy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Scrub was saying the island was small enough to walk around and golf carts weren’t necessary. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They don't need them. It's not a big island. People can walk, or the resorts should lay on some shuttle buses like they do elsewhere,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You have to ask if the carts have a speed governor on them, or if they are speed limited. Who maintains them? What's the insurance situation with them?</p> <p dir="ltr">“It seemed to be completely unlicensed and anyone could jump on them and drive away. They should be banned.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Who on earth approved these things? I wouldn't mind if they were for the disabled - but these are just a joy ride cart.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You should be at least 18 and have passed a driving test before you're allowed to drive these. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You need to know the rules of the road and how vehicles operate.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Loved ones remember newlywed bride who died on her honeymoon in moving funeral service

<p>Family and friends have gathered to commemorate the “kind-hearted spirit” and “unconditional love” of the newlywed bride who tragically died in a golf buggy accident on her honeymoon in an emotional funeral service</p> <p>Marina Morgan, 29, had only been married to husband Robbie Morgan for 10 days when she died in a freak accident on the couples honeymoon in Hamilton Island.</p> <p>At 9 am on Saturday the 2nd of July, hundreds of friends and family filled St Mary & St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox Church in Rhodes – the same place Marina and Robbie were married.</p> <p>A funeral notice posted to the church’s Facebook page in Arabic and English referred to her as the “bride of heaven”.</p> <p>Several men, including her husband, carried her coffin into the building and onto the altar, where a photo of Marina on her wedding day was placed on top of the casket.</p> <p>After prayers filled the church, friends and family shared their memories of Marina’s life.</p> <p>Marina’s brother, Mark Hanna, described his sister as a “sweet, young, independent woman who was loved by everyone.”</p> <p>“She was beautiful inside and out, loved to laugh, and always had a positive outlook on life.”</p> <p>In his emotional eulogy, Mr Hanna described the strong bond he shared with his sister.</p> <p>“I've lost someone who I shared so many things … we always shared with each other our hidden fears, and now it feels as though I’ve lost a part of myself, leaving a wound that stretches from the middle of my ribcage to the bottom of my gut,” he said.</p> <p>“It’s very difficult to accept that our gorgeous Marina is no longer here with us.</p> <p>“I will do my best to not let this scar be the death of me,” he promised as he broke down in tears.</p> <p>“Mum, dad, husband Robbie, me, your extended families, cousins, uncles, aunts, friends and everyone who knew you will never forget you.”</p> <p>While Mr Morgan did not stand to speak during the funeral, he briefly spoke to media after.</p> <p>“I can’t explain the sadness in my heart, my wife was loved by so many,” Mr Morgan said told reporters after the funeral.</p> <p>Cousin Miriam remembered her “partner in crime” who lived her life “fearlessly” and vowed to do the same.</p> <p>In a bespoke poem, Miriam also described how Marina fulfilled her life’s goal of getting married, filling her family with pride.</p> <p>“We never thought that day would be your last,” she recited.<br />“To marry her soulmate Robbie and to be a bride, while always filling her family with so much love and so much pride</p> <p>While Mr Morgan did not get up to speak, the priest told the church how he had recalled the couple’s last few days together.</p> <p>“Please see this as a celebration. She is in a better place now alongside God and his angels.”</p> <p>Mrs Morgan’s casket was carried outside and placed into the back of a hearse, before it was driven to Rookwood Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"Only the good die young": Tragic twist in honeymoon death

<p dir="ltr">The newlywed bride who died in a tragic golf buggy incident on Hamilton Island was due to get married last year but instead it was delayed because of Covid. </p> <p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna, 29, and husband Robbie Morgan were due to get married on July 24, 2021 but because of lockdown and density limits they decided to delay their ceremony. </p> <p dir="ltr">But it wasn't until June 11, 2022, that the loved-up pair were finally able to say their vows in a lavish ceremony at Sydney’s Doltone House.</p> <p dir="ltr">The newlyweds then finally made their way to Queensland’s Hamilton Island for their honeymoon. </p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were travelling on a golf buggy - the main form of transportation on the island on June 20 when Morgan did a U-turn, causing the buggy to tip over.</p> <p dir="ltr">A doctor, off-duty dentist and off-duty firefighter rushed to the scene and desperately performed CPR for 35 minutes on Marina, who unfortunately could not be revived.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(This) is proof that the good die young,” Robbie’s brother Matty said of Marina’s passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland Police Inspector Anthony Cowan announced in a press conference that Marina was not wearing a seatbelt while in the buggy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was just a tragic accident with a golf buggy,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There may have been some inexperience driving those type of vehicles while turning it has rolled on its side and the woman has fallen out and sustained life-threatening injuries.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It just appears inexperience in driving that type of vehicle, turned too quick and rolled on its side and unfortunately, it has ended up with this result.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It appears there was no seatbelt worn at this point in time; we come back to the Fatal Five but now is not the time to dwell on what they should have done.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Inspector Cowan confirmed that no drugs, alcohol or dangerous driving caused the accident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Update to tragic honeymoon death on Hamilton Island

<p dir="ltr">A newlywed woman has died in a horrific golf buggy crash on Hamilton Island while on her honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna, 29, and husband Robbie Morgan married in a lavish wedding in Sydney’s Doltone House on June 11.</p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple then jetsetted to Queensland’s Hamilton Island to celebrate their honeymoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair were travelling on a buggy between holes on a golf course on Monday when Morgan did a U-turn, causing the buggy to tip over.</p> <p dir="ltr">A doctor, off-duty dentist and off-duty firefighter rushed to the scene and desperately performed CPR for 35 minutes on Marina, who unfortunately could not be revived.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland Police Inspector Anthony Cowan announced in a press conference that Marina was not wearing a seatbelt while in the buggy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was just a tragic accident with a golf buggy,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There may have been some inexperience driving those type of vehicles while turning it has rolled on its side and the woman has fallen out and sustained life-threatening injuries.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It just appears inexperience in driving that type of vehicle, turned too quick and rolled on its side and unfortunately, it has ended up with this result.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It appears there was no seatbelt worn at this point in time; we come back to the Fatal Five but now is not the time to dwell on what they should have done.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Inspector Cowan confirmed that no drugs, alcohol or dangerous driving caused the accident.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

Our Partners