Wieambilla ‘innocent bystander’ to be farewelled with classic Ford send off

A cortege of 50 classic cars will take part in the funeral procession as Alan Dare, the man who was tragically shot and killed along with two police officers at Wieambilla last week, is farewelled on Friday.

Alan Dare, who was tragically shot and killed, along with two police officers at Wieambilla, in the Western Downs region last week will be farewelled this Friday.

Four police officers walked into an ambush at the Wains Rd property on Monday afternoon while looking for former school principal Nathaniel Train, who had been reported missing in country NSW.

Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow were shot dead, along with Mr Dare, while Constable Randall Kirk and Constable Keely Brough managed to escape.

The officers and Mr Dare were murdered by Gareth Train, a doomsday conspiracy theorist with a hatred for police, his wife Stacey, a former schoolteacher and Gareth’s brother Nathaniel.

Facebook image of Alan Dare who died in a shooting at Wieambilla

Brisbane car enthusiast Troy Postle said he reached out to Mr Dare’s stepson, Corey Richards, who asked whether members of the community had a Ford singlet or T-shirt that his “hero” could be buried in.

Mr Postle, along with members of the Hardtop Hustle Falcon Owners, have since organised 50 classic cars to be involved in Friday’s cortege, following the police-escorted hearse from Ipswich Funeral Parlour to Wacol Gardens Cemetery. 

He said he will escort Mr Dare’s widow, Kerry Dare in a Ford XC Falcon Cobra, the 58-year-old’s favourite car. 

Police on the unsealed Wains Road, Wieambilla, leading to the property where two police officers and a neighbour were killed. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I know a lot of people in Ipswich are talking about lining the road to watch the funeral procession go past,” Mr Postle said. 

A funeral service will be held for Mr Dare at Centenary Memorial Gardens at Sumner from 3.30pm.

“Dearly loved husband of Kerry. Much loved father of Renee and Corey. Treasured poppy to Chelsi, Charlotte, Kaos, Lachlan, Lincoln and Hailey. Loved son of Robert & Yvonne (both dec’d) and son-in-law to John & Rose. Loving brother of Michael (dec’d), Derek, Robynne and uncle to their families,” the funeral notice read. 

Meanwhile, a post on the Facebook event read “Alan recently passed away on Monday afternoon as an innocent bystander who was trying to help someone out. Alan was always helping other people, but we need to be with Kerry who has asked us to join with her to say goodbye to an amazing man”.