Inquest into Jessica Falkholt and family’s deaths after Boxing Day crash

A late Home and Away star and her family were powerless to stop a heroin addict on a cocktail of prescription medication crashing into their car, an inquest has heard.

Late Home and Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family were “blameless” victims who were powerless to stop a heroin addict on a cocktail of prescription meds crashing into their car.

The state coroner delivered her findings into the tragic death of beloved actor Jessica, 28, her sister Annabelle, 21, and their parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60, who were hit head on by a Toyota Prado, driven by serial traffic offender Craig Whitall, who was on his way home from a Nowra methadone clinic on Boxing Day, 2017.

Lars was driving his family home to Sydney on the morning of December 26, 2017, when they were struck in their white Mazda by Mr Whitall who crossed to the wrong side of the road.

The Falkholt family on Christmas Day 2017, a day before their tragic deaths. Lars, Vivian, Annabelle and Jessica. Picture: Facebook

An inquest over four days was held to investigate the cause of their deaths, including Mr Whitall’s access to drugs and his driving history.

State Coroner Teresa O‘Sullivan said the Falkholt family could not have reasonably prevented the accident, in her findings released on Wednesday.

“The Falkholt family were blameless in their deaths…the focus of these findings needed to be upon Mr Whitall and the series of tragic missteps that led to his decision to drive whilst intoxicated on prescription medication…there was nothing that Mr Falkholt could have reasonably done to prevent the collision from occurring,” Ms O’Sullivan wrote.

Toxicology results show Mr Whitall had a cocktail of drugs in his system including methamphetamine, a lethal range of doxepin, methadone and diazepam.

The Boxing Day crash that killed members of the Falkholt family. Picture: Seven News Sydney

The coroner found the drugs impacted his driving ability and when mixed together caused sedation, which was consistent with reports he was seen swerving on the road in the lead up to the crash, nearly missing car mirrors.

In addition, Mr Whitall, who was part of the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) for 20 years, had racked up more than 60 traffic convictions but was still allowed to get behind the wheel to get his methadone medication.

Ms O’Sullivan accepted submissions that Mr Whitall’s driving record demonstrated a long-term willingness to ignore the “road rules” and legal requirements for safe and licensed driving.

But she also accepted the difficulties of providing the OTP to people in the regions, with Mr Whitall having to travel 120km about three times a week to receive his medication.

JESS FALKHOLT AND FAMILY ‘CLOSE KNIT’

Late Home And Away star Jessica Falkholt and her family were “extremely tight knit, gentle souls’, an inquest has heard, as a coroner delivered findings into their tragic deaths.

Beloved actor Jessica, 28, her sister Annabelle, 21, and their parents Lars, 69, and Vivian, 60, were hit head on by a Toyota Prado, driven by serial traffic offender Craig Whitall, who was on his way home from a Nowra methadone clinic.

Lars was driving his family home to Sydney on the morning of December 26, 2017, when they were struck in their white Mazda by Mr Whitall who crossed to the wrong side of the road.

State Coroner Teresa O‘Sullivan told the Lidcombe Coroner’s Court on Wednesday how the event had rocked Sydney at the time.

“The tragedy of the events were compounded by the fact that the accident occurred on Boxing Day, a day when many of us look forward to celebrating with our family and friends,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

“The graphic impact of the collision together with the seemingly random nature of the accident reverberated throughout the community.”

Jessica Falkholt.

The inquest heard on Wednesday how Mr Whitall failed to negotiate a bend on Princes Highway at Conjola on the south coast.

Both Lars and Vivian died at the scene from their injuries, while Annabelle and Jessica were pulled from the wreckage by brave community members before being flown to hospital.

Annabelle died from injuries at Liverpool hospital three days later.

Emergency surgery including the removal of her kidney could not save Jessica, who died at St George Hospital on the morning of January 17, 2018.

The coroner told the court on Wednesday the Falkholt family died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries as a result of the crash.

She found Mr Whitall died at the crash site from the combined effects of blunt force injuries and fire, as a result of the collision.

Medical staff and community members who happened upon the accident were thanked for their bravery.

“The heroic actions of many community members and off duty medical staff was notable … and I thank these people,” the coroner said.

The coroner spoke of Jessica’s love of acting and how she “followed her childhood dreams”, with a movie ‘Harmony’, released after her death.

Early childhood worker Annabelle was remembered as someone warm, gentle and caring who loved to laugh.

The court heard how Vivien’s only sibling Paul Boticello described the family as “gentle souls” who were “extremely close knit and devoted to each other”.

“He described Lars as the love of Vivien’s life and noted that together they were immersed in their girl’s lives,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

Members of Lars’ Sweden family, who attended the inquest via AVL, found the distance compounded their sense of loss.

Ms O’Sullivan extended her sympathies to loved ones, including Mr Whitall’s family.

“I extend my sincerest condolences to the various family members left behind by this tragedy … Mr Whitall may have had a troubled life and many flaws, but was still part of a family who miss and mourn him … I acknowledge their loss,” she said.

Mr Whitall had racked up more than 60 traffic convictions but was still allowed to get behind the wheel.

The state government acted immediately to implement changes following the devastating event, spending almost $10 million in an effort to reduce the deadly road toll on the Princes Highway.

The median strip on the stretch between Bendalong Rd and Luncheon Creek Rd was widened and wire rope safety barriers were fitted.

And line markings also alert motorists if they veer off course.

Jessica played ‘Hope Morrison’ on TV show Home And Away, appearing in 16 episodes in 2016.

Aussie actors flooded social media with messages of love for Jessica after her tragic passing, including co-stars Pia Miller and James Stewart.