Harbour Town death: Daughter’s grief as tourist John Cunningham’s reason for shop visit revealed

The daughter of a British tourist hit by a car and killed outside a popular Gold Coast shopping centre has told of her devastation, as the mundane reason for his visit to the shops is revealed.

The daughter of a British tourist hit by a car and killed outside a popular Gold Coast shopping centre has told of her devastation, saying; “My heart is completely ripped out.”

John Cunningham, 57, died when he was hit by a ute opposite the Harbour Town shopping centre at Biggera Waters on Wednesday.

Onlookers and emergency services tried to save him but he died at the scene.

Mr Cunningham and wife Annmarie had only been in Australia for 24 hours and were believed to have gone to Harbour Town to get SIM cards for their phones.

John Cunningham and wife Annmarie had only been in Australia for 24 hours.

A Facebook picture posted by Leah Cunningham today.

They were visiting their daughter Leah and grandchildren, who were holidaying at a nearby caravan park.

Leah, who was believed to have witnessed the tragedy along with her mum, posted a heartfelt tribute to her dad on Facebook overnight on Thursday.

“My heart is completely ripped out,” she wrote.

“He was the best father I could ever wish for and my friend. He was the best grandfather to all his grandchildren and a fantastic husband to my mother.

“We all love you so much that I can’t even put into words. I know that you know we love you.”

Ms Cunningham also thanked family and friends for their love and support “in this terrible situation”.

A “heartbroken” Annmarie Cunningham posted her own emotional tribute to her late husband, describing him as a “loveable rogue”.

“I want to thank everyone … my heart is broken I’ve lost my best friend, (my) lovable rogue,” she wrote.

“But I want to thank our children for the way they are handling everything. Me and your dad are so proud.

“I want to thank my three beautiful daughter-in-laws who me and John love very much (and) my son-in-law Bill for looking after me and Leah.

“God bless everyone x.”