As it happened: WA news on Friday, April 25

We’re bringing our live blog to a close for today.

In case you’ve just tuned in, here’s a recap of the headlines:

• Tens of thousands of people filled Kings Park at dawn to commemorate Anzac Day 110 years after the Gallipoli campaign.
• Premier Roger Cook lashed a heckler who shouted obscenities during the Welcome to Country at the service, branding the behaviour “totally disrespectful”.
• That heckler was also condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who called it an “act of low cowardice”, and the incident is being investigated by police.
• A man has died after being hit by a car along Herdsman Parade in Wembley in a suspected hit-and-run on Thursday night.

And, on a final note, a quick reminder that early voting centres are not open on Anzac Day or on Sunday, April 27. Most locations are open on Saturday, but not all, so make sure you check beforehand if you intend to head out to vote.

Thank you for joining us and have a lovely weekend.

A 54-year-old man has died after falling from an e-scooter and onto the road while riding along Devenish Street in East Victoria Park.

The man was conveyed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment on April 12, after the incident occurred, but later died.

Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are now appealing for help from the public to work our what happened.

They have urged any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au.

Dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Devenish Street in East Victoria Park between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on April 12, can be uploaded directly to investigators via this link.

And WA Police have launched an appeal for information after a lone heckler interrupted the Welcome to Country at the Kings Park dawn service.

The incident occurred shortly before 6am, when an unknown man was heard yelling obscenities while Noongar Elder and former soldier Di Ryder gave the traditional welcome.

Bystanders called on the man to refrain from yelling, and is understood to have left the scene a short time later.
In a statement released on Friday, WA Police said inquiries were continuing into the incident.

“The ANZAC Day service is a solemn commemoration, and any disorderly behaviour at such commemorations will not be tolerated by police,” a WA Police spokesperson said.

Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the booing and heckling on display at the Melbourne and Perth dawn services today as “an act of low cowardice”.

“What occurred at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and Kings Park in Perth was a disgrace.

“There is no place in Australia for what occurred. The disruption of Anzac Day is beyond contempt, and the people responsible must face the full force of the law,” he said in Canberra.

“This was an act of low cowardice on a day when we honour courage.”

White supremacist Jacob Hersant has been named as the man who booed during the Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. He was escorted away by police and is expected to be charged.

In Perth, a lone heckler interrupted the Welcome to Country at the dawn service at Kings Park by shouting obscenities.

The PM said Anzac Day was a day to “come together to remember all those who have served our country in war and the cause of peace”.

“As our nation comes together in gratitude, we reiterate our commitment to providing the care, support, and recognition our veterans and their families deserve.

“We honour all whom have volunteered, sacrificed and died for our nation, including indigenous Australians.

“The words that matter today are the simple and sacred promise Australians repeated in their millions.

“Lest we forget.”

Terry Newman was just 19-years-old when he found himself more than 5000 kilometres from home in South Vietnam.

He didn’t know it at the time, but the member of the ‘A’ Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, would soon be on the front line in the longest and bloodiest battle for Australia of the 12-year-long Vietnam War.

Ray ‘Pepe’ Peele, Rob Cox, Terry Newman, Rod Beazley and Kevin Hastie following the Anzac Day march.Credit: Jesinta Burton.

Twenty-six Australians perished and more than 100 were wounded during the Battle of Coral–Balmoral, which raged for 26 days between May and June in 1968 against the North Vietnamese Army.

“It was pretty hairy at times,” Newman says, pointing to the green Unit Citation for Gallantry pin he was awarded on the 50th anniversary of the battle.

“There were some pretty ferocious battles during the time that I was there. It was devastating, and most of us were only young blokes ... I had to grow up pretty quick.”

Fellow Vietnam veteran Kevin Hastie, who was only a few years older at the time, spoke of having a similar experience.

As difficult as it was, the former president of the Bicton/Palmyra RSL Sub-Branch said it was the sense of camaraderie among the Australian soldier’s that helped him to persevere.

“When we were all over there, we all looked after each other, helped each other and backed each other up, and that’s how you got through it. Wasn’t it, Terry?” Hastie says.

“It was the camaraderie – we were all very close-knit. And that’s the story of the Australian Army across the years.”

“Well, old blokes like Kevin looked after young blokes like me,” Terry quipped.

“I think it might have been the other way around,” Hastie joked.

Hastie said he was pleased to see so many young people among the thousands of people lining the streets of St Georges Terrace for the annual Anzac Day march.

“You hope that spirit is still going to be there when we go,” he said.

To more crime news, a man has died after being hit by a car along Herdsman Parade in Wembley in a suspected hit-and-run on Thursday night.

Some time between 6.20pm and 6.30pm, the pedestrian was struck by an unknown vehicle.

Police and St John WA attended the scene and the man was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital for treatment, but later died as a result of his injuries.

Major Crash investigators are urging any witnesses to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.

Anyone with dash-cam or mobile phone vision of Herdsman Parade between 6.20pm and 6.30pm on is urged to upload this vision directly to investigators via this link.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.

Turning away from Anzac Day coverage now, and an Albany father who set fire to his home while his children were still inside has been jailed for eight years.

During sentencing on Thursday, a judge commended the police officers who risked their lives to save those children.

You can hear more about what happened below. The footage may be distressing for some viewers.

Not everyone was able to make it to a dawn service this morning, but there were other ways to pay tribute.

As the sun rose, Marine Rescue volunteer Patrick played Waltzing Matilda on the bagpipes, aboard the rescue vessel he works on.

You can watch his performance below.

On any other weekday, St Georges Terrace would be bustling with people making their way to the office.

Thousands have gathered for the Anzac Day march. Credit: Jesinta Burton

But the only traffic in the central business district today are serving members and veterans, who are preparing to lead the annual Anzac Day March.

The streets are lined with thousands of people who have gathered to pay their respects, many of whom made the trip down from Kings Park – the site of the state’s largest Anzac Day ceremony.

RSL WA estimated there are around 25,000 veterans in Western Australia, with up to 10,000 being deployed since 1999.

Here are some pictures of the Anzac Day event held at Kings Park this morning.

A man pays his respects at the Kings Park Service.Credit: Colin Murty

Crowds gathered at the Anzac Day dawn service at Kings Park.Credit: Colin Murty

Daphne Langdon with a photo of Douglas Hughes, who passed in Afghanistan aged 26.Credit: Colin Murty

WA Premier Roger Cook walks out to lay a wreath.Credit: Colin Murty

Basil Zempilas and Michaelia Cash lay a wreath.Credit: Colin Murty