Tributes flow for Canberra grandfather Nigel Harris killed in tragic crash at Finke Desert Race
The heartbroken daughter of an amateur photographer who was tragically run over and killed by a vehicle at the Finke Desert Race says he had been on “the trip of a lifetime”.
Northern Territory
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THE heartbroken daughter of an amateur photographer who was tragically run over and killed by a vehicle at the Finke Desert Race says he had been on “the trip of a lifetime”.
Nigel Harris, 60, from Canberra, was on holiday taking photos trackside at Finke on Monday morning when a car veered off the road and into spectators about 35km from the finish line.
Mr Harris, who had just recently retired, was tragically killed on impact, and another male spectator in his 50s was seriously injured.
He leaves behind his wife Sheryl and adult children Melina and Mark.
Daughter Melina said the whole family was still in “complete shock” and coming to grips with the tragedy.
“We are all pretty devastated and still processing,” she said.
“He is such a loved husband to Sheryl, father to Melina and Mark, and poppy to his granddaughter Evelyn.
“He died at the end of a trip of a lifetime travelling around Australia after retiring just last year.
“Last we spoke to him, he was keen to get home, especially as his granddaughter had just learnt to say ‘pop-eee’.”
Mr Harris, an amateur photographer, had been at Finke since at least Wednesday and had extended his holiday to take pictures at the race.
He shared dozens of the photos he took of competitors in action during a pre-run at the Finke track to Facebook on Wednesday and Friday.
Instead of asking for payment, Mr Harris wrote a post encouraging people who liked his photos at Finke to consider donating to the ‘The 10 Desert Challenge.’
“An amazing lady called Maree from Brisbane is attempting to be the first woman to cycle across all 10 Australian deserts in aid of Beyond Blue for mental health,” he said.
Christine Zander, who met and stood next to Mr Harris at Finke, said the 60-year-old had been thrilled to be at the event.
“This was the first time he had ever come to it, and he loved it, absolutely loved it,” she said. “He was so happy.”
Health authorities said the other male spectators in his 50 who were also struck by the car remain serious.
He was expected to be sent from Alice Springs to Royal Adelaide Hospital on Tuesday.
Originally published as Tributes flow for Canberra grandfather Nigel Harris killed in tragic crash at Finke Desert Race
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