Private jet carrying Shane Warne’s body arrives in Melbourne
Shane Warne’s son, Jackson, led the family in a heartfelt tribute to the cricket legend, who arrived home on Thursday for the final time.
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Shane Warne has touched down on Australian soil for the final time, returning home to devastated family and friends.
The cricketer’s personal assistant Helen Nolan oversaw his arrival at Essendon Airport, in Melbourne’s north west on Thursday night.
His son, Jackson, also made the difficult trip to repatriate his father with the family. He drove sister Brooke and mum Simone Callahan in his father’s Mercedes-Benz G Wagon to the airport for the emotional moment.
The private jet, registration VH-CRW, taxied into hangar 9 at about 8.45pm.
A small crowd of people gathered at the airport’s fence, some were visibly upset - none wanted to speak publicly as the reality of Warne’s shock death continues to sink in.
Police were in the hangar, with more officers outside, but there was no trouble, only tears for the much-loved figure who was taken far too soon.
Doors to the hangar were closed before Warne’s body was removed from the jet.
His body travelled on an eight-hour direct flight from Bangkok on Thursday.
Warne’s coffin was draped in an Australian flag - a fitting tribute for a man who represented his country more than 300 times in Test and international one day cricket.
The honour of the flag, which is traditionally used at military funerals but is approved for use by any Australian, also recognises his charity work, where he raised millions of dollars for sick children.
Warne’s family had been waiting until his body was returned before locking in funeral plans.
A private service was expected to be held late next week, likely on Friday, March 18 - the same day as Warne’s beloved Saints take on Collingwood at Marvel Stadium.
A state memorial at the MCG, where Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin were expected to perform or send video messages, has been locked in for Wednesday, March 30.
No details have been released about how his children, Jackson, Brooke and Summer will be involved in the services.
Jackson posted a photograph of himself as a young child with his father late Thursday afternoon on Instagram.
“Memories of dad. Thank you everyone for the overwhelming amount of support, messages, and love,” he wrote.
Liz Hurley, Warne’s former fiancee, responded with seven love heart emojis.
Brooke also made further comments, following her statement earlier this week.
“Dad, my heart is broken,” she said on Thursday afternoon.
Warne’s parents Keith and Brigitte called his death a “nightmare” this week, but thanked the State Government for the offer of a public memorial.
They also pointed to Warne’s patriotism, adding: “We would also like to acknowledge the support of Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his kind words both personally and on behalf of the country, as everyone knows Shane was an extremely proud Victorian
and Australian.”
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Warne’s coffin, draped in that Australian flag, was loaded into a private ambulance before dawn in Thailand on Thursday.
Royal Thai Police provided an escort for the private ambulance carrying Warne’s body.
Warne’s body was being taken from Bangkok’s Police General Hospital on a 25km journey to Don Muang Airport.
The transport was arranged for the early morning to avoid Bangkok’s busy peak hour traffic.
Amar International Repatriations’ name was on the van that collected Warne’s body.
The company’s website says that it specialises in bringing family members home to their loved ones.
Warne, 52, was less than 24 hours into his boys’ trip in Thailand when he suffered a fatal heart attack.
His friend Andrew Neophitou tried to revive him before an ambulance arrived but he was already gone.
An ambulance arrived 20 minutes later, with paramedics also trying to bring him back but it was too late.
Warne, a heavy smoker, had also been on a strict diet in the weeks leading up to his death.
He had complained of chest pains before he left Australia.
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