Devastating detail about pet dogs amid Andrew Symonds tragedy
New details have emerged of the car crash tragedy that claimed the life of Aussie cricket icon, Andrew Symonds.
Australia was left in shock and sadness on Sunday after news broke that Symonds had been killed a car accident on Saturday night, with tributes flooding in from around the world for the beloved figure.
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The 46-year-old died in a single-vehicle accident near his home in Hervey Range, about 50km from Townsville in northern Queensland.
Two witnesses who tried to come to Symonds' aid have since spoken out, with one revealing that he was traveling with two dogs - his pet blue heelers.
Speaking to the Courier Mail, the witness said one of the dogs refused to leave the cricket great's side and became protective when they tried to help him out of the vehicle.
“One of them was very sensitive and didn’t want to leave him,” she said.
“It would just growl at you every time we tried to move him or go near him.
“My partner tried to get (Symonds) out of the car, to put him on to his back.
“He was unconscious, not responsive and had no pulse.”
Another witness, a man named Waylon Townson, tried to save Symonds after hearing the crash and rushing to the scene.
"He was stuck in there, so I tried to pull him out," Townson told 9News.
"(I) started doing CPR and checked his pulse but I didn't get much response."
Police said they are investigating the accident, which appears to have occurred after Symonds' car left the roadway and rolled over.
Andrew Symonds leaves behind a wife and two kids
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Patrol Inspector Gavin Oates said it was a harrowing situation for family, friends and witnesses of the horrible tragedy.
“It’s always confronting for the police who attend and traumatic for the family and friends of people who were involved in fatal accidents,” Oates said on Sunday morning.
“The accident was actually heard by people who live nearby, they were the first people on scene and alerted emergency services.
“They provided assistance that they could at the time and called 000.”
Symonds' wife Laura has since spoken of her devastation, not only for herself but the couple's young children Chloe and Billy.
“We are still in shock,” she told the Courier Mail.
“I’m just thinking of the two kids. He was such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids.”
Laura said her husband was “the most laid-back person”.
“Nothing stressed him out. He was an extremely chilled operator. So practical,” she said.
“He was never good with his phone but he always had time for everyone."
Symonds played 198 one-day internationals for Australia, as well as 26 Tests and 14 Twenty20 internationals.
The allrounder made 5088 runs at ODI level at an average of 39.75, also taking 133 wickets.
The Queenslander was a key member of the Aussie teams that won back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007, before moving into commentary for Fox Sports.
with agencies
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