Family pays tribute to alleged one-punch victim James Andrew Curtis

Loved ones of a Queensland truck driver dad who died after he was allegedly punched by a prominent dairy farmer’s son, have spoken about their final moments with him and paid tribute on the anniversary of their loss.

James Curtis, a father of six, died in hospital on December 7, 2023, after he was allegedly struck outside the Lamington Hotel in Ferry St, Maryborough on November 24, 2023.

A grieving family is set to spend their second Christmas without their beloved brother, father, partner and grandfather a year after an alleged coward punch led to his death.

James Curtis, a father of six, died in hospital on December 7, 2023, after he was allegedly struck outside the Lamington Hotel in Ferry St, Maryborough on November 24, 2023.

Declan Jamie Thomas Burton, 21, who hails from a dairy farm which produced Burton’s Milk for decades near Maryborough, has been charged with unlawful striking causing death.

Speaking out for the first time ahead of the one-year anniversary of Mr Curtis’ death on Saturday, a joint family tribute said his nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews had loved and adored him.

“They would especially look forward to his visits of laughter and fun memories to bank in their core memories,” they said.

James Curtis, a father of six, died in hospital on December 7, 2023, after he was allegedly struck outside the Lamington Hotel in Ferry St, Maryborough on November 24, 2023.

“James always lived his life to the fullest, he was your typical laid-back Aussie that enjoyed a good beer, barbecue and good company.”

Mr Curtis, 51, had lived in Toowoomba most of his life before moving to Emerald to work, then Hervey Bay and ended up in Maryborough, where he worked as a truck driver.

He had loved driving trucks and seeing the beautiful scenery of Australia and had celebrated his birthday the day before the alleged punch.

On November 24, 2023, he went out to celebrate with his partner Julie at the Lamington Hotel and an altercation between he and Mr Burton allegedly occurred later that night.

Tinana’s Declan Jamie Thomas Burton (INSET) is charged with hitting 51-year-old Maryborough man James Andrew Curtis in the head outside the Lamington Hotel, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. Police are pictured at the scene during the investigation.

Mr Curtis’ sister Robyn Zinserling said she had received the heartbreaking news that her brother was in hospital fighting for life and since that day, “our lives have not been the same”.

“James was flown down to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital for a hope and chance in fighting for his life,” she said.

“We sat beside James’ bedside for the next 13 days to be with him, to hope and pray for his recovery. It was a long 13 days.

“The 13th day came and his family made the decision to let him go as they were informed about the inevitable life that James wouldn’t want to live, even if he magically survived and woke up – which chances were extremely rare.

In the year that has passed, Mr Curtis has missed out on the birth of another grandchild he will never meet and the family is facing another Christmas without him.

“We miss James more than anyone could ever understand or imagine,” Ms Zinserling said.

Mr Burton remains before the courts. He has not entered a plea.

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Originally published as Family pays tribute to alleged one-punch victim James Andrew Curtis