Kind doctor’s touching act during hero cop Lynette Taylor’s final moments
A kind off-duty doctor who stayed with Lynette Taylor as she died wants the fallen officer’s family to know first responders did “everything possible” to save her life after the horror Eastern freeway smash that killed four police.
VIC News
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A kind off-duty doctor who stayed with Lynette Taylor as she died wants the fallen officer’s family to know first responders did “everything possible” to save her life.
Melbourne woman Dr Amanda Sampson was among the handful of first responders who pulled over “immediately” after witnessing Wednesday’s horror smash on the Eastern Freeway.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Dr Sampson revealed Ms Taylor was comforted, stroked and cared for by complete strangers as she died on the side of the freeway.
“She was given all respect and comfort and care that could be given at the time, that is what is important,” Dr Sampson said.
“We did what we could. There were many people who looked after her.
“She was comforted, we gave what aid could be given.”
Dr Sampson was stirred by court reports which detailed Fitzroy man Richard Pusey’s alleged behaviour at the scene.
The 41-year-old is accused of filming LSC Taylor as she died and berating her for wrecking his “f***ing car”.
He allegedly told her: “There you go. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. All I wanted to do was go home and have my sushi. Now you’ve f****ed my f***ing car.”
But Dr Sampson wants Lynette’s family to know “there was more to it than what came out” in the court hearing.
“There were people who cared. He may have said those things, but the last words she heard were from the caring people and paramedics that came to her aid,” she said.
“She and her colleagues were honoured and respected in every way.”
Dr Sampson said it was an “extraordinary” scene that will haunt her for years to come.
“It was a horror situation,” she said.
“Hopefully it is a once in a lifetime experience, like all severe road trauma accidents, they are very distressing to everyone involved.
“There were many cars that had stopped, many tried to help.”
The brother of fallen police officer Joshua Prestney has also spoken of his broken heart following the tragic death of his “protector”.
“We have all lost an amazing, bright light in our community; a man for others,” First Constable Alexander Prestney said.
“My heart breaks that we are without my brother, my protector, my mate.
“He didn’t follow in my footsteps on the path to Victoria Police, he walked beside me.”
It comes as in excess of half a million dollars has been donated to the charity supporting the families of fallen police officers after the Eastern Freeway tragedy claimed four lives last week.
Victoria Police Legacy chief executive Lex De Man said more than $500,000 had been raised with significant pledges still yet to be included in that figure, including $200,000 from Premier Daniel Andrews.
Mr De Man said he was “extremely thankful” to the generous Victorians who were rallying behind the families of the deceased police.
“To me the donations is the way people are dealing with their grief, showing their compassion for what happened,” he said.
“They are clearly wishing to make a statement, that they are behind the police. Also to mourn with the families at the same time.
“This is their thank you to the four members who were tragically lost. This has been just overwhelming.”
Police have still been unable to interview the 47-year-old truck driver Mohinder Singh Bajwa more than four days after the alleged incident.
He was last night under police guard at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
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