‘Devastated’ Bonogin and Mudgeeraba community’s plan to honour crash victims
A tight-knit Gold Coast hinterland community left rocked by a triple-fatal crash are rallying behind the victims’ surviving daughter. HOW YOU CAN HELP
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The community has rallied behind the surviving daughter of a triple-fatal Gold Coast Hinterland crash, raising almost $10,000 in less than 24 hours.
Retired skin doctor Christopher Fawcett, 79, Susan Zimmer, 70 and her daughter Steffanie Zimmer, 35, died at the scene of the Bonogin Road smash, which occurred at 5pm on Friday.
Claudine Snow was at her home on the NSW mid north coast when her mother, sister and stepfather died at the scene of the crash.
Ms Snow set up a GoFundMe online crowdfunding page to pay for her family’s funeral service, saying she had “limited financial means”.
“My mother was my best friend and my inspiration,” she wrote.
“They all died a horrific death that was completely senseless and avoidable.
“My whole world has been turned upside down.
“I want to give my family members the funeral service they deserve.
“I have limited financial means and I am in the reluctant position of asking our wonderful community for assistance.”
As of Wednesday morning, the page had raised $9900 of the $75,000 goal set.
Ms Snow noted the page was the only official online fundraiser for the family and urged others to be “wary of imitations”.
A flood of tributes were posted to the page from devastated community members.
“Chris and Susan were such lovely people. (During) every skin check visit I had, they were so kind and caring,” Donna Shipsey wrote.
“(He) essentially saved my life (in) removing my melanoma.”
Danielle Sutherland described Chris and Susan as a “wonderful couple”.
“I owe my life to Dr Chris, the best skin doctor. I will be eternally grateful,” she wrote.
Elle Shanahan said the community was heartbroken.
“You deserve all the love and support from the entire world right now,” Ms Shanahan said.
“People’s hearts are hurting for you and we are crying with you.”
A community fundraising day will also be held at the Mudgeeraba Bowls Club this Sunday, January 8, from 11am.
It will include $10 barefoot bowls, lunch and raffles.
Police allege the sole survivor of the crash, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, was the driver of the other car involved.
She was charged on Monday with three counts of manslaughter and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, evading police, and unlicensed driving.
A lawyer representing Ms Taufua said she was “devastated” about what had occurred and that three people had died.
To support the fundraiser, visit here.
‘Devastated’ community’s plan to honour crash victims
Devastated Bonogin and Mudgeeraba residents are planning a vigil for the family killed in last week’s fiery Gold Coast Hinterland two-car crash.
Retired doctor Christopher Fawcett, 79, Susan Zimmer, 70 and her daughter Steffanie Zimmer, 35, died at the scene of the Bonogin Road smash, which occurred at 5pm on Friday.
Bonogin resident of more than 30 years Karen Middleton said residents were in talks about holding the vigil in a local park in a few days’ time.
“It will be big when it happens, for sure. Because everyone is feeling it,” Ms Middleton said.
“I get goosebumps talking about it. It’s a tragic, sombre thing.”
On Sunday, Susan Zimmer’s distraught surviving daughter Claudine Snow said she was supportive of plans for a vigil or any other community event paying tribute to her family.
“Seeing strangers showing their support has been really helpful throughout the grieving process,” she said.
Fellow resident Mathew Reid said those living in the neighbouring suburbs of Bonogin and Mudgeeraba considered it to be one, big community.
“A lot of Bonogin residents shop in Mudgeeraba and we play sport down at the grounds together,” Mr Reid said.
“Everyone is upset for the family involved.
“It’s going to impact everyone - not just them, but parents, grandparents and children.”
Siegfried Partusch lives three houses away from where the crash occurred, but was asleep when it unfolded.
“It’s terrible - it should not have happened,” the Bonogin resident said.
Tallai resident Rhyl Lawrence said: “They’re devastated, the people in Bonogin.”
Mudgeeraba’s Noel Davis added: “The nation is disgruntled (about the tragedy)”.
A makeshift memorial built at the crash site was continuing to grow on Monday.
“Sue, Steffie and Chris, you are in our prayers and we will miss you,” one note left at the memorial read.
“Fly high beautiful angel,” another note read.
Police allege the sole survivor of the crash, Uiatu “Joan” Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, was the driver of the other car involved.
She was charged on Monday with three counts of manslaughter and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, evading police, and unlicensed driving.
A lawyer representing Ms Taufua said she was “devastated” about what had occurred and that three people had died.
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