Timothy Hinds: Ex-Tasmanian killed in possible hit-and-run in Cobram as friends share heartache
A 45-year-old who moved interstate for work has been killed in a possible hit-and-run, with his town’s crestfallen Tasmanian expat community printing bumper stickers to publicise the case. Details.
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A Tasmanian man killed in a possible hit-and-run in country Victoria will be cremated and have his ashes scattered in his home state, his crestfallen friend says.
Koonoomoo man Timothy Hinds, 45, who grew up in the West Tamar, attending Exeter High School, and was living in Devonport prior to his relocation to the Murray Valley to take up work with Dairy Farmers, died on the evening of July 29.
Emergency services were called to Cobram-Koonoomoo Road just before 9pm after a passer-by located Mr Hinds, who was seriously injured, on the road, Victoria Police said in a statement.
CPR was commenced but Mr Hinds died at the scene.
Ex-Zeehan friend Jessica Goodsell, one of a group of ex-Tasmanians close with Mr Hinds who lived in the Cobram area with him, said: “I haven’t stopped crying.”
“I can’t sleep, can’t eat. Timmy was a massive part of our lives that’s been taking away. You’re driving past a thing, listening to a song, and it reminds you of him,” she said.
Ms Goodsell said her friend loved going for drives, heading out bush, and tinkering with motorbikes.
“The night it happened, I was one of last people to see him alive. We went for a drive,” she said.
“He was always asking me to go for drives with him. We’d go cruising every night, listening to music. He always wanted me to go for a picnic with him, or out bush.
“He lived a very simple life but loved life for what it was.
“He brought a lot of people close, no matter the mood he’d make you smile.”
The group of Tasmanian expats, which included Emily and Dwayne Bernes, as well as best friend Jamie Sims, have printed bumper stickers bearing the text #JusticeforTimmy, in a bid to keep the case in the public consciousness until their friend’s final moments are learnt.
Ms Sims has created an online fundraiser to help fly Mr Hinds’ sister, who lives in Western Australia and is ill with cancer, back to Tasmania for her brother’s ashes to be scattered, as well as to pay for funeral costs.
“Timmy lit the room up no matter what the mood – sure to say he was the life of the party. Sadly Timmy’s life was taken from us way too early,” Ms Sims said.
Mr Hinds’ Victorian friends will hold an unofficial service on August 12.
Major collision investigation detective Acting Sergeant Rayne Gray previously said it was very “foggy” at the time Mr Hinds was struck by a vehicle.
“We certainly know that a man has been hit by a vehicle on that road,” Acting Sergeant Gray said.
“We’re trying to put together the story of what happened and find some answers.”
She said police were trying to determine whether there were one or two vehicles involved.
No charges have been laid.
“A 43-year-old Cobram woman has been interviewed by MCIU [Major Collision Investigation Unit] detectives and released pending further enquiries. The investigation remains ongoing,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.
Originally published as Timothy Hinds: Ex-Tasmanian killed in possible hit-and-run in Cobram as friends share heartache
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