AN 84-year-old West Wallsend woman was killed yesterday after she was pinned between her gate and a ute and caravan, being driven by her partner of more than 35 years.
Joy Hodder died after the accident, which occurred in the driveway of her Brown Street home.
Mrs Hodder and her long-time partner, Dave Hughes, 71, were returning home from a caravan club gathering at Catherine Hill Bay about 2pm, when the incident happened.
Newcastle crash investigation police said they were investigating the incident, which Mrs Hodders family described as a freak accident.
Family members said Mrs Hodder got out of the vehicle to open double gates.
With only one gate opened, the ute accidentally surged forward, pinning her to the other gate, before it gave way and she went under the vehicle and caravan.
Mrs Hodder, nicknamed Joycie, had five children including a foster child she raised from eight months old, 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Daughter Sandra Huddleston said she lived for the kids.
Mrs Hodder and Mr Hughes were keen caravaners and members of caravan and motorhome clubs.
briche said
05:46 PM Feb 4, 2013
That is such a sad story but it does show how careful we must around cars and caravans especially when we are setting up in camp sites. Our thoughts and prayers go to their families.
barina said
06:39 PM Feb 4, 2013
briche wrote:
That is such a sad story but it does show how careful we must around cars and caravans especially when we are setting up in camp sites. Our thoughts and prayers go to their families.
How tragic...very very sad
GaryKelly said
01:35 AM Feb 5, 2013
Such a tragedy, and the poor old bloke will never recover from that, which makes it doubly sad.
Gerty Dancer said
03:57 AM Feb 5, 2013
OMG that is terrible.. my sympathy to the poor fellow who was driving, and their families. Wonder how it happened that the ute "suddenly surged forward"????
AN 84-year-old West Wallsend woman was killed yesterday after she was pinned between her gate and a ute and caravan, being driven by her partner of more than 35 years.
Joy Hodder died after the accident, which occurred in the driveway of her Brown Street home.
Mrs Hodder and her long-time partner, Dave Hughes, 71, were returning home from a caravan club gathering at Catherine Hill Bay about 2pm, when the incident happened.
Newcastle crash investigation police said they were investigating the incident, which Mrs Hodders family described as a freak accident.
Family members said Mrs Hodder got out of the vehicle to open double gates.
With only one gate opened, the ute accidentally surged forward, pinning her to the other gate, before it gave way and she went under the vehicle and caravan.
Mrs Hodder, nicknamed Joycie, had five children including a foster child she raised from eight months old, 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Daughter Sandra Huddleston said she lived for the kids.
Mrs Hodder and Mr Hughes were keen caravaners and members of caravan and motorhome clubs.
That is such a sad story but it does show how careful we must around cars and caravans especially when we are setting up in camp sites. Our thoughts and prayers go to their families.
How tragic...very very sad
Wonder how it happened that the ute "suddenly surged forward"????