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Abdallah and Sakr families' memorial triumph

<p>The Abdallah and Sakr families have won a lengthy battle with Oatlands Golf Club, to implement a permanent memorial for their children. </p> <p>In February 2020, the lives of the Abdallah and Sakr families were turned upside down when their children Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, Sienna, eight, and Veronique Sakr, 11, were hit by a car on the perimeter of the western Sydney golf course. </p> <p>Now, almost four years on from the tragedy, Danny Abdallah has confirmed that a memorial garden for his children and niece had finally won approval.</p> <p>Oatlands Golf Club had rejected several designs for a memorial on the site of the crash, but the club has now finally agreed to license a small parcel of land to the Abdallah and Sakr families for a private garden.</p> <p>“We persisted, we got there,” Abdallah told <em>2GB</em> on Wednesday.</p> <p>“It was very stressful and it took its toll on us.”</p> <p>The landscape hedge garden will include plants that blossom each February and a plinth for each of the children.</p> <p>The families hope to complete the memorial by Christmas.</p> <p>The golf club shut down negotiations for the memorial in 2021, after rejecting all of the family's suggestions for the memorial as too large, saying they would unduly remind neighbours of the tragedy.</p> <p>Mr Abdallah did not want to dwell on why the club changed its approach, saying “I want to move forward.”</p> <p>The news of the memorial comes after the Abdallah family <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/abdallah-family-confirms-heartwarming-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> they are expecting another baby.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Abdallah family confirms heartwarming news

<p>Three years after the tragic loss of their three children in a horrific car crash, Danny and Leila Abdallah have announced the are expecting another baby. </p> <p>In 2020, the Abdallah's life was turned upside down when their children Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, Sienna, eight, and their niece Veronique Sakr, 11, were hit by a car on their way to buy ice cream. </p> <p>The couple welcomed a baby girl in March 2022, and have now announced that their family is growing once again. </p> <p>Danny Abdallah announced the heartwarming news on 2GB on Wednesday morning saying, “Leila’s well, she’s pregnant again. I got one past the goalkeeper! And yeah, she’s been pretty busy with the kids.”</p> <p>He said the family are “OK, as good as can be”.</p> <p>With another baby on the way, the couple will be the parents of five children, as well as the three killed in the tragedy.</p> <p>The crash that claimed the lives of the Abdallah children happened in December 2020, when Samuel William Davidson was driving recklessly and mounted the curb at high speed before striking the children in his ute. </p> <p>Davidson later pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and charges related to injuries sustained by three other children involved in the crash.</p> <p>Initially, he was sentenced in April 2021 to 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 21 years. </p> <p>However, in 2022, his sentence was reduced by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal to 20 years, with a non-parole period of 15 years, as they deemed the original sentence excessively harsh.</p> <p>Despite the devastating situation, the Abdallahs forgave the driver just days after he wiped out half of their family.</p> <p>Mr Davidson thanked the family for their forgiveness, motivating him to change his ways while in prison. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Father of Oatlands crash victim dies of cancer

<p dir="ltr">Bob Sakr, 53, sadly passed away on Saturday after battling cancer for over a year and tributes are pouring in.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sakr was the father of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/our-children-are-our-reason-for-living-thousands-gather-to-mourn-at-oatlands-funeral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oatlands crash</a> victim Veronique Sakr, who along with her cousins Sienna, Angelina and Antony Abdallah, tragically lost their lives to a drunk and drug-affected driver whose ute hit the children as they were buying ice cream on February 1, 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">The devastating news was confirmed by Danny Abdallah, the father of Sienna, Angelina and Antony.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sakr’s devout Maronite Catholic family have opened up about their grief and said that despite struggling with the loss, they are comforted by the thought that he will be reunited with his daughter in heaven.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This moment is a celebration for Veronique Sakr, celebrating her dad's arrival into heaven, welcoming her dad into the kingdom of heaven, where happiness and joy never ends!” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sakr’s older brothers have also paid tribute and shared that they were still processing his loss.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am speechless at the moment,” his brother Norman told the <em>Daily Mail</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He was my youngest sibling and he and I were very close. At the moment we are exhausted and we're grieving,” he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sakr’s brother David also shared that: “today was one of the saddest days of my life”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We put to rest my little brother Bob. In our hearts you will live on forever. 'You are now reunited with your baby girl Veronique and with mum and dad,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">A couple of friends have also paid tribute to Sakr.</p> <p dir="ltr">“RIP Bob Sakr. Until we ride again. You are in a better place and reunited with your Angel,” his friend Luigi Pelaia wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another friend wrote: “condolences to all the family, especially his son Michael. Resting with his daughter Veronique”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sakr’s funeral was held on Wednesday at Redfern’s Maroun Cathedral Church.</p> <p dir="ltr">In June, Sakr took to social media to share that he had been battling with cancer for over a year and that he had approximately two weeks left to live.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am not one to bid farewell, but instead, I prefer to say, ‘See you next time I’m looking at you,’” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Samuel William Davidson, the driver of the ute responsible for the tragic accident pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter and charges related to injuries sustained by a few other children involved in the crash.</p> <p dir="ltr">His initial sentence was 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 21 years, but following <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/fresh-heartache-as-oatlands-killer-wins-appeal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an appeal</a> that was reduced to 20 years, with a non-parole period of 15 years.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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Fresh heartache as Oatlands killer wins appeal

<p>The drunk and drugged driver who ran over a group of children in Sydney’s north-west over two years ago has had his sentenced reduced on appeal.</p> <p>The Abdallah siblings Antony, Sienna and Angelina and their cousin Veronique Sakr died in February 2020 when Samuel Davidson ran them over on a footpath as they were walking to get ice cream.</p> <p>He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the four children, as well as a raft of other charges. He was sentenced to a maximum of 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 21 years.</p> <p>Following an appeal, the maximum sentence was reduced by eight years taking it to 20 years, with a non-parole period of 15 years. Making him eligible for parole in January 2035.</p> <p>At the time of his initial sentence, Judge James Bennett said Davidson’s dangerous and aggressive driving showed a complete lack of care and concern for the safety of others.</p> <p>“The magnitude of the tragedy extended to the unimaginable” said Judge Bennett.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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Standing ovations at the Vatican for Abdallah family

<p>The Abdallah family have received two standing ovations after an emotional speech at the Vatican, saying they forgive the man who killed their three children and niece.</p> <p>Western Sydney couple Danny and Leila Abdallah were invited by the Pope to share their harrowing story with thousands of parishioners at the 2022 World Meeting of Families in Rome on Saturday.</p> <p>Their three children Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, Antony, 13, and niece Veronique Sakr, 11, were killed by Samuel William Davidson who was drunk and high on drugs while behind the wheel in Oatlands in February 2020.</p> <p>Joined by their children Liana, 12, Alex, seven, Michael, six, and 14-week-old Selina, the Abdallahs spoke to a global audience on the eve of would have been Antony's 16th birthday.</p> <p>Ms Abdallah recalled the devastating moment she was informed of her children's deaths, while Mr Abdallah explained why their family have chosen to forgive the man who caused the accident through the I4Give campaign the family has set up.</p> <p>The family's speech was so moving that the congregation was twice brought to their feet, with Australians in the crowd at the Vatican proudly displaying the national flag.</p> <p>Bishops around the world were so moved by their story that the Abdallahs may also get a face-to-face meeting with the Pope himself, depending on his health.</p> <p>"There's been more than two years and I must choose to forgive myself and the driver every day, to not retreat into hatred," Mr Abdallah told the Vatican and millions watching online.</p> <p>"I choose to forgive myself for telling my kids to go for walk. I choose to forgive the offender in obedience to my Father in heaven."</p> <p>"If my children were here today, they would say 'Dad, forgive him.'"</p> <p>"When you forgive the other person, you start to heal."</p> <p>His wife Leila added, "I would not have imagined we would be in the Vatican on the eve of my son's birthday to speak about forgiveness to the world."</p> <p>"You can't control what happens in life, but you can choose how to respond. We choose forgiveness over hatred, we choose love over revenge and we choose to turn the day of tragedy into a day of forgiveness."</p> <p>You can watch the Abdallah's address to the Vatican below.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DiLGPqJUrWs" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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Oatlands killer appeals severity of sentence

<p>The drug and alcohol-riddled driver who killed four children after crashing into them on their way to the local shops has launched an appeal to decrease the severity of his sentence. </p> <p>On Monday, Samuel Davidson appealed the minimum 21-year sentence he was given for the manslaughter of Veronique Sakr, 11, and her cousins, siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 8, when they were struck by his car as they walked to get ice cream near Oatlands golf course in February 2020.</p> <p>When the accident occurred, Davidson was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and driving erratically before he mounted the footpath and struck the group of children. </p> <p>Davidson pled guilty to a host of charges around the deaths in October 2020, and was sentenced in April 2021. </p> <p>Davidson had no criminal history before the accident, a point his barrister Stephen Odgers used in Monday’s appeal to argue that his sentence was unreasonable.</p> <p>He also argued that Davidson’s diagnosis of ADHD, which he said made him prone to reckless behaviour, was not properly considered by the sentencing judge.</p> <p>At the time he was sentenced, Davidson was 30 years old and is not set to be released until he is at least 51. </p> <p>“That is a crushing sentence,” Odgers said.</p> <p>The parents of the Abdallah children were not present at the appeal hearing, however Veronique’s mother Bridget Sakr was in attendance at the court.</p> <p>“Our sentence is for the rest of our lives. Our suffering is every day,” she said.</p> <p>Bridget Sakr’s husband David Mackenzie said on Monday that the sentence sent an important message.</p> <p>“There are no comparable cases to our case, sadly,” Mackenzie said.</p> <p>“That’s why our case is so important. Because it sets a benchmark.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / 7News</em></p>

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Oatlands crash mum shares joyful news

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sydney woman who lost her three children after they were struck by a drunk driver has announced that she is pregnant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Leila Abdallah </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/oatlands-crash-leila-abdallah-pregnant-again-after-losing-three-children-in-oatlands-crash-tragedy/070935f7-47ac-4c0e-8d86-b706af6221a5" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">shared</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the news on Instagram, posting a sweet photo of herself and her husband Danny Abdallah cradling her growing tummy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“God blessed us with a gift from above,” she captioned the post.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW8MxwMhS5j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW8MxwMhS5j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Leila Geagea Abdallah (@leila._abdallah)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple suffered the heartbreaking loss of their three children, Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, eight, as well as their niece, when a drunk driver struck the group of seven children as they walked to buy ice cream in Oatlands, in north-west Sydney.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW8MCZsB3aw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW8MCZsB3aw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Leila Geagea Abdallah (@leila._abdallah)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The families have been in an ongoing fight with Oatlands Golf Club, where the incident occurred, to have a permanent memorial installed near where the children died.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So far, the plan, which was submitted by Parramatta Council on the families’ behalf, has been rejected because of its size.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Samuel Davidson, the driver responsible for the deaths, has since apologised to the families and faced court.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Davidson was drunk while driving the vehicle, and a report made after the incident found he had been travelling up to 133 km/h in the 50 km/h zone. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The vehicle was moving at about 111 km/h at the time of impact.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He was convicted on four counts of manslaughter, and his punishment is yet to be decided on by the court.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @leila_abdullah (Instagram)</span></em></p>

Family & Pets

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Oatlands crash memorial vandalised

<p>A heartless vandal has destroyed the memorial for the children killed in the Oatlands crash.</p> <p>Photographs of siblings Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 9, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were framed on a fence in Oatlands after they passed in February last year.</p> <p>But on Sunday morning, they were found torn off the fence.</p> <p>The siblings' father Danny was spotted at the memorial restoring it.</p> <p>The memorial is the only public memento to the children killed in the crash after Oatlands Golf Club rejected plans for a garden.</p> <p>The club’s board rejected designs drawn up by Parramatta Council, without first consulting its members, on the basis they were too elaborate and would unduly remind neighbours of the tragedy.</p> <p>“All concepts submitted by Parramatta Council on behalf of the families have been well outside the scale of what had been communicated as appropriate,” Oatlands Golf Club general manager Sam Howe said in an email to members.</p> <p>“In light of there being no support from the families for a memorial that the board has deemed appropriate to take to the membership, the board has decided to close negotiations.”</p> <p>Danny and his wife Leila said they were “devastated” by the decision and asked for the board to reconsider.</p> <p>“We are devastated by the decision of the Oatlands Golf Club Board to end discussions for a modest commemorative garden on the edge of the golf course where our children were killed,” they said.</p> <p>“We respectfully ask the board to reconsider its decision so that our children can be honoured and the community can have a place to remember the Oatlands tragedy.</p> <p>“We love our children dearly and we will always grieve the loss of our beautiful kids.</p> <p>“Our proposed commemorative garden simply honours our children, Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique and our survivors Liana, Charbel and Mabelle.”</p>

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Leila Abdallah dedicates award to “all the bereaved mothers out there”

<p>The Sydney woman who lost three of her six children when they were struck by a drunk and drugged driver last year has been named mother of the year.</p> <p>Leila Abdallah and her husband Danny lost son Antony Abdallah, 13 and daughters Angelina Abdallah, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, eight when they were killed alongside their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, on February 1 2020.</p> <p>The kids were riding their bikes on a footpath in Oatlands, northwest Sydney, when a Mitsubishi Triton ute hit them just before 8pm.</p> <p>The man behind the wheel, Samuel William Davidson, 31, was sentenced to 21 years behind bars with no parole last month at Parramatta District Court after pleading guilty to multiple charges including four counts of manslaughter, each carrying a maximum of 25 years in prison.</p> <p>Leila and Danny inspired others by forgiving Davidson, saying their frustration lay with the "way our culture loves drugs and alcohol".</p> <p>After winning this year’s annual accolade, Leila said she dedicated her award to all women grieving the loss of a child.</p> <p>“I’d like to dedicate the award to all the bereaved mothers out there,” she told Sydney radio 2GB on Thursday.</p> <p>“A lot of people have been inspired and touched with the forgiveness and they were able to forgive in their own family and accept their grief.</p> <p>“Kids are the biggest joy any parents can have.”</p> <p>Davidson had been drinking for 12 hours at his home nearby and was driving up to 133km/h just moments before he crashed into seven kids who were on their way to buy ice cream.</p> <p>Judge James Bennett said Davidson’s “horrific” actions and “menacing” driving that day revealed he had abandoned all moral responsibility.</p> <p>“The manner of driving was such that tragedy was inevitable,” Judge Bennett said. “The magnitude of the tragedy extends to the unimaginable.”</p> <p>The seven children were making their way to a local IGA store when they were blindsided by the out-of-control ute around 7:50pm.</p> <p>Family Voice Australia said Leila “has demonstrated grace, charity, and peace beyond measure despite the horrific loss she and her husband have suffered and continue to suffer”.</p> <p>“There could be no better example of how to deal with such a significant and life-changing family disaster than Mrs Abdallah has demonstrated, even though her heart must still be breaking daily because of the loss of three of her precious children.</p> <p>“Yet she continues to express forgiveness rather than seek revenge.”</p> <p>Family Voice Australia is hosting the annual Mother of the Year award for the first time this year, after Barnardos Australia revealed they will not be running the award after 25 years in February.</p>

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“Cruel and heartless”: Board denies request for Oatlands memorial

<p>The heartbroken family of the four young children killed in the horrific Oatlands car crash last year have once again been denied a permit to build a memorial at the place they passed.</p> <p>The Abdallah children, Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 8, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were tragically run down and killed by a drunk driver on the outskirts of Oatlands Golf Club, in Sydney's northwest, last year.</p> <p>The driver, Samuel William Davidson, was sentenced to a minimum of 21 years in jail last month.</p> <p>But the families' hope to build a spot to honour their four children has been struck down once again by the board of the Oatlands Golf Club.</p> <p>A statement from the families today asked the board to reconsider its refusal of the commemorative garden.</p> <p>“We love our children dearly and we will always grieve the loss of our beautiful kids,” the families said.</p> <p>“Our proposed commemorative garden simply honours our children, Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique and our survivors Liana, Charbel and Mabelle.</p> <p>“We respectfully ask the board to reconsider its decision so that our children can be honoured and the community can have a place to remember the Oatlands tragedy, which had such an impact on our nation.”</p> <p>The planned garden, designed in collaboration with Parramatta City Council, has now been rejected twice by the board.</p> <p>Their latest decision was on the grounds the garden would "unduly remind neighbours of the tragedy".</p> <p>Oatlands Golf Club general manager Sam Howe emailed members in March, claiming the council’s designs were “well outside the scale of what had been communicated as appropriate”.</p> <p>“The board and management recognise the terrible tragedy caused by this accident, while at the same time recognising our responsibility to the club and its members,” Mr Howe said.</p> <p>The memorial would take up a very small amount of bushy space on the golf course.</p> <p>Local MPs are also throwing their support behind the memorial, with their constituents pushing for a decision.</p> <p>“I think you need to use your influence, Geoff Lee, to advise the board at the Oatlands Golf Club that refusing a memorial seat for the four children that died in the car accident is offensive, cruel, heartless and not community minded in anyway,” one of Mr Lee’s constituents wrote.</p>

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Oatlands driver who killed four kids to be hit with jail sentence

<p><span>Samuel William Davidson is set to find out how long he will spend in prison for mowing down a group of children on a Sydney footpath.</span><br /><br /><span>The 31-year-old had been drinking, and had consumed drugs at the time of the accident.</span><br /><br /><span>He was speeding when his ute mounted a kerb at Oatlands, in Sydney’s northwest, on February 1 of 2020.</span><br /><br /><span>The children had been walking to a supermarket to buy ice-cream.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840632/oatlands-children-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9838e5e4b23a4de3bf6a103e0b1c3591" /><br /><br /><span>Davidson, who was a professional truck driver, plead guilty to the manslaughter of Veronique Sakr, 11, and her cousins, Sienna Abdallah, eight, and her siblings Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13.</span><br /><br /><span>The man had been speeding at the time and also pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the injuries caused to three other kids who were hurt, including a boy who has suffered permanent brain damage.</span><br /><br /><span>Davidson was travelling 133km/h in a 50km/h zone.</span><br /><br /><span>He clocked in at 111km/h during the time of impact.</span><br /><br /><span>After the incident, Davidson could be heard saying: “What have I done? ... I have killed people ... I am going to jail.”</span><br /><br /><span>Police said he had a blood alcohol reading of 0.15 which was three times the legal limit.</span><br /><br /><span>The man also had MDMA in his system.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840631/oatlands-children-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/978950a04de14c7fad8b7ecb3ff7b3f4" /><br /><br /><span>Danny Abdallah, who is the father of three of the children who were killed, told the court in March that while he blamed not only Davidson but also the culture accepts consuming excessive drugs and alcohol as good.</span><br /><br /><span>“This culture needs to stop, because of this culture I buried half of my children,” Mr Abdallah said.</span></p>

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Oatlands killings spark major road rules changes

<p>Speed camera warning signs will be scrapped and motorists caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol will face harsher penalties under a number of new laws for NSW.</p> <p>The government is hoping the change will help crack down on those speeding, including removing warning signs often located 250m and 50m ahead of mobile speed cameras which would warn motorists to slow down.</p> <p>The changes have been introduced after four children were tragically killed by a drunk driver in Oatlands earlier in the year.</p> <p>Leila and Daniel Abdallah lost three children in the crash, and one of the children’s cousins was also killed.</p> <p>NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the changes are about shifting culture and behaviour.</p> <p>“We want to make a difference,” he said.</p> <p>“We can't keep doing what we’re doing, year in, year out, knowing the impact it has on families, loved ones, children and our community.”</p> <p>Bridget Sakr, who lost her 11-year-old daughter Veronique in the crash, spoke to NCA NewsWire and said: “We’re extremely overwhelmed with the change in the law. It’s taken nine months to get this legislation into place, that’s never happened (as fast) before. I think that in itself speaks to how much impact this tragedy has had on people’s lives, all over Australia.”</p> <p>Ms Sakr was present at the announcement of the proposed new road rules alongside Mr and Mrs Abdallah, who lost their children Sienna, 8, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13.</p> <p>The changes will be rolled out over a 12-month period.</p> <p>Mr Constance went on to reveal that harsher penalties will be introduced for those caught driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs from next year.</p> <p>Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash if they’re under the influence of alcohol and drugs, he said, citing recent research.</p> <p>“This massive, life-threatening risk needs a stronger penalty,” Mr Constance said.</p> <p>“Across our roads network we have seen this reckless and irresponsible behaviour result in far too many deaths and serious injuries, and these tougher penalties send the message that this behaviour won’t be tolerated.”</p> <p>Since 2015 over 100 serious crashes have involved a driver or rider with illegal levels of both alcohol and drugs in their system.</p>

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Oatland parents forgive man responsible for killing their children

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>The two families that were torn apart after four children were killed have decided there are no place for revenge and bitterness in their hearts.</p> <p>Eight-year-old Sienna Abdallah was killed alongside siblings Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 13, when Samuel William Davidson’s ute mounted the kerb on February 1.</p> <p>Samuel Davidson pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter.</p> <p>The siblings’ parents, Danny and Leila Abdallah spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/parents-forgive-the-man-responsible-for-killing-their-children-in-tragic-oatlands-crash-c-1290233" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>7News</em></a> about the guilty verdict.</p> <p>“We welcome the plea, the guilty plea, so the good thing is we’re not going to be dragged through court,” Danny said.</p> <p>“I don’t want anger, bitterness and revenge in my household today.”</p> <p>The family have remarkably forgiven Davidson, drawing on their faith for strength throughout the ordeal.</p> <p>“We are all broken and there is obviously some justice to be served,” Leila said.</p> <p>“He made a mistake and there are consequences for every mistake you make.”</p> <p>Danny agrees, saying: “Forgiveness and justice go hand in hand and you can’t have one without the other.”</p> <p>A total of 34 charges were laid against Davidson with all but seven of them dropped which left four counts of manslaughter and three counts related to three other children injured in the crash.</p> <p>Danny has urged families to love your children.</p> <p>“Hug your kids tight, love them, treasure every moment,” says Danny.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Families of Oatlands crash victims reveal heart-breaking new details

<p>The family of four children killed in the Oatlands crash have spoken up about the incident.</p> <p>Seven children were walking through the Sydney suburb towards an ice cream shop on February 1 when driver Samuel Davidson struck them with his vehicle.</p> <p>The incident claimed the lives of Abdallah siblings – Antony, 13, Angelina, 12 and Sienna, 8 – and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11.</p> <p>Davidson is facing 34 charges, including four counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death under the influence of MDMA, four counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death going and driving with cocaine in his blood stream.</p> <p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/tv/families-involved-in-fatal-oatlands-crash-reveal-new-details-in-wake-of-tragedy-c-1182405">7News</a></em>, the siblings’ father Danny Abdallah said he attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Antony upon his arrival at the scene but “it didn’t work”.</p> <p>Abdallah said he does not wish to seek revenge against the driver.</p> <p>“I’ve had people wanting to seek revenge. And I’ve asked them to stop,” he said.</p> <p>“And they have stopped, I won’t do that. I don’t want anger, bitterness and revenge in my household today.”</p> <p>The siblings’ mother Leila Abdallah told <em><a href="https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/our-faith-has-kept-us-going/">The Catholic Weekly</a> </em>faith helped her cope with the tragedy.</p> <p>“Death is a reality that no one can escape, so focus more on your soul and build your faith because that is the only thing you will have left,” she said.</p>

Family & Pets

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Shattered mother shares tragic final photo of three children in Oatland tragedy

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Heartbroken mother Leila Abdallah has shared the final photo taken by her children just before they were struck by a drunk driver in Oatlands.</p> <p>Smiling as they travel on a “sunset walk”, Angelina, 12, Leanna, 10 and Sienna Abdallah and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 10, and Mabelle Kassas posed for a group photo taken about 7:45 pm on February 1.</p> <p>Their relatives Antony Abdallah and Charbel Kassas are standing out of shot.</p> <p>Leila captioned the photo with a sweet but sad caption.</p> <p>“Their last Sunset Walk on this earth. Saturday 1/2/2020 before God called them back home and said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these”. Forever in our hearts,” she wrote.</p> <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158034780419819&amp;set=a.10150278081034819&amp;type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> <p>Their last Sunset Walk on this earth. Saturday 1/2/2020 before God called them back home and said “Let the little...</p> Posted by <a href="#">Leila Geagea Abdallah</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158034780419819&amp;set=a.10150278081034819&amp;type=3">Saturday, February 22, 2020</a></blockquote> </div> <p>Leila has also started a blog called “The Four Angels” to remember her three children Antony, Angelina and Sienna as well as their cousin Veronique, who all died in the horrific accident.</p> <p>“Hi all my friends here on Facebook. I’ve started a page where I will be sharing what’s in my heart, the wonderful gift my children were and how blessed I was to have them in my life .. thank you so much for your kind words and the support during this difficult time. Feel free to follow,” she wrote.</p> <p>The terrible accident occurred when an out-of-control 4WD being driven by alleged drunk driver Samuel William David Wilson, 29, ran down into the group of children on Bettington road.</p> <p>Four children died while three others were treated for serious injuries.</p> <p>Davidson has been charged with 20 offences, including four counts of manslaughter and high-range drink driving. He currently remains behind bars until his next court appearance.</p> <p>Danny Abdallah explained after the crash that he had given the children money so they could walk to get dessert.</p> <p>“These kids were just walking innocently, enjoying each other's company,” he said, according to<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8064015/Heartbreaking-selfie-taken-minutes-four-children-killed-Oatlands-drunk-driver.html" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Mail</em></a>.</p> <p>“I told them to go for a little walk. 'Stay together, you guys should be OK'. (You) give them a little bit of independence... this is one in a million, they were just walking on the footpath.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Oatlands tragedy: Family faces costly medical bills after no access to Medicare

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Rania Geagea Kassas is dealing with every parent’s nightmare as she begged people to pray for her son who has been in a coma for over a week.</p> <p>Earlier this month, the young boy was walking with his cousins to get ice cream when an alleged drunk driver mounted the footpath and hit the children.</p> <p>The child suffered critical injuries to his head and spine and was placed in an induced coma.</p> <p>Sadly, he is yet to realise that the accident took the lives of his four cousins and best friends; Antony, Angelina and Sienna Abdallah and Veronique Sakr.</p> <p>“He needs your prayers now,” his mother told<span> </span><em>10 News First</em>.</p> <p>“I think he is happy with his cousins like he is in heaven, and then he’s going to come back after the funeral and he’s going to tell us about … his trip.”</p> <p>The three Abdallah children were laid to rest in a beautiful ceremony held at the Maronite Catholic rite at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral in Harris Park yesterday.</p> <p>Two more children were injured in the crash, but they have since been discharged from hospital and being taken care of by their family.</p> <p>The boy remains in the intensive care unit at Sydney’s Westmead Children’s Hospital. He is in a stable condition and is in an induced coma and is being monitored every two to three hours.</p> <p>His uncle, Anthony Geagea revealed that he could remain in a coma for up to six months and they won’t know just how much damage has been caused to his brain and spine until after he wakes up.</p> <p>“When he wakes up, the doctor will give us a full diagnosis,” he said.</p> <p>Currently, the driver’s Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance will cover the immediate hospital bills but the family’s neighbour has set up a<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/team-charbel-kassas" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a><span> </span>page to help ease the financial burden once the boy has woken up.</p> <p>His parents do not have access to Medicare as they’ve only been in Australia for a short time.</p> <p>“All medical expenses are out of pocket and will increase dramatically,” says the fundraising page.</p> <p>“Any donation made towards this beautiful humble family is greatly appreciated.”</p> <p>The boy’s parents have not been able to return to work, and won’t be able to for some time as he needs full-time care.</p> <p>“We don’t know what is going to happen – maybe he will need medicine, maybe he will need lots of equipment,” said his mother.</p> <p>So far, close to $130,000 have been raised as they attempt to reach their $150,000 goal.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

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"Our children are our reason for living": Thousands gather to mourn at Oatlands funeral

<p>Thousands have showed up to the funeral of the three Abdallah siblings tragically killed in a 4WD crash in western Sydney last weekend.</p> <p>The streets around the Our Lady of Lebanon church in Harris Park have been blocked off since this morning as Christian hymns are played through the PA system.</p> <p>The crowd is so big it’s spilling out onto the street, with Jenny Morrison and other community leaders also in attendance.</p> <p>The priest said the siblings’ parents Daniel and Leila wanted this morning to be a celebration of the lives of Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna, 9, through religious ceremony and prayer.</p> <p>He said the three children were taken from the world at a “tender age”.</p> <p>The horrific accident occurred when an alleged drunk driver crashed into the group of children as they were walking together to get ice cream in Oatlands.</p> <p>It has been alleged that Samuel William Davidson was allegedly three times the legal blood alcohol limit when he ran into the children.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hundreds of people have gathered for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/funeral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#funeral</a> of three siblings killed by an allegedly drunk driver last week in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sydney?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sydney</a> north-west.<br />Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 9, died after they were hit by a car on February 1 in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oatlands?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oatlands</a>. <a href="https://t.co/NzEHEwYGJT">pic.twitter.com/NzEHEwYGJT</a></p> — Brandi Worlds News (@BrandiSaari) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandiSaari/status/1226680766920159237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>The 29-year-old has been charged with 20 offences including four counts of manslaughter and is expected to make an appearance in court in April.</p> <p>The priest addressed the hundreds of people gathered at the church and commended the siblings’ mother Leila as her words of forgiveness for the alleged drunk driver has “shocked the world”.</p> <p>He said the three children had brought everyone together.</p> <p>Speaking to reporters on Monday, Leila said that she forgives Davidson as she visited the site of the crash.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Thousands gather for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/funeral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#funeral</a> of three children killed &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://t.co/NUE938xEkQ">https://t.co/NUE938xEkQ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oatlands?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oatlands</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/Tg7X5M8PxI">pic.twitter.com/Tg7X5M8PxI</a></p> — Kidspot (@KidspotSocial) <a href="https://twitter.com/KidspotSocial/status/1226694026167910400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“I think in my heart I forgive him. But I want the court to be fair. I’m not going to hate him because that’s not who we are,” she said.</p> <p>“It feels very unreal. I feel like I’m still waiting for them to come home.”</p> <p>In a deeply religious Maronite ceremony of chanting, singing and prayer the priest said the children were deeply connected to their faith.</p> <p>He spoke about their father Daniel, and one of the last moments he shared with Antony as he was driving him to a basketball game.</p> <p>He said the young boy told his father that he was going to play for basketball legend Kobe Bryant and they should stop at a church to pray on the way.</p> <p>Close to 2000 people were present at the church as they held white roses and wore pins with photos of the Abdallah siblings.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Harris Park: The funeral for the Abdallah siblings Sienna, Angelina and Antony who died in a tragic accident at Oatlands is being held at the Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral. Cameras are at the service at the request of the family. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7NEWS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7NEWS</a> <a href="https://t.co/xzWi3Duzcu">https://t.co/xzWi3Duzcu</a></p> — 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/1226649184641568770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em>7 News</em>, the parents were unable to describe the pain they were feeling, saying it would require “endless words of despair”.</p> <p>“Our children are our reason for living. Bringing them up in accordance with the ways of God, teaching them to love, affording them every opportunity and nurturing them into positive and impacting young men and women was, and is our life’s purpose,” they said.</p> <p>“What is life without your children? How and where do we begin to pick up the pieces so that we may be effective parents to our three remaining angels?</p> <p>“We start with forgiveness.”</p>

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He wasn’t alone: Calls for passenger in Oatlands crash to be charged

<p>There are calls for Samuel Davidson’s passenger to be charged as an accessory to manslaughter following the Saturday crash that left four children dead.</p> <p>Davidson has been charged with 20 offences including four counts of manslaughter after he ran over seven children with his Mitsubishi Triton 4WD in the Sydney suburb of Oatlands. Siblings Sienna, Angelina and Antony Abdallah died at the scene along with their cousin Veronique Sakr.</p> <p>The 29-year-old driver was allegedly three times the legal blood alcohol limit during the incident.</p> <p>Victims advocate Howard Brown is calling for Davidson’s 24-year-old passenger to be charged as an accomplice.</p> <p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200203oudtm/exclusive-calls-for-passenger-in-deadly-oatlands-crash-to-be-charged-with-accessory-to-manslaughter-20200204">10 News First</a></em>, Brown said the passenger broke the law by allowing intoxicated Davidson to drive a car.</p> <p>“If you’re breaking the law you should be brought before the courts and dealt with accordingly,” Brown said.</p> <p>“We’ve lost four lives here and three people have been seriously injured. We have to send a very clear message.”</p> <p>Brown said he also supports the emerging calls for zero blood-alcohol laws in Australia. “We have to grow up. My own view is that we should go to .02 but the bottom line is... if we can’t handle our alcohol we’re going to have to change the rules,” he said.</p> <p>“We need to understand we are going to lose 60 to 70 people this year due to death in motor vehicles, arising from the consumption of alcohol.”</p> <p>Davidson remains in custody after his bail was refused earlier this week. His case has been <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-04/grandma-of-children-killed-in-oatlands-describes-family-grief/11927794">adjourned until April</a>.</p>

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Family heartbreak: Father of boy fighting for his life after Oatlands tragedy pleads for prayers

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Heartbroken father Assaad is “praying to God” that his son Charbel recovers after he was injured in the horrific Oatlands tragedy. Charbel’s sister Mabelle was also in the accident but survived and is currently at home recovering while her brother is in critical condition at hospital.</p> <p>Mabelle and her brother Charbel were both injured when the 4WD hit them and five other children, but Charbel was so critically injured at the scene that paramedics were forced to intubate him before rushing him to hospital.</p> <p>Mabelle, Charbel and a third girl were taken to Westmead Children’s Hospital for treatment after the incident.</p> <p>Assaad said that he and his wife Rania have kept a bedside vigil willing Charbel to pull through after the accident, but it is still touch and go.</p> <p>“Mabelle is OK, she's been released from hospital,” Assaad said to <em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7967267/Oatlands-tragedy-Kassas-parents-praying-God-son-recover.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p>“(But) Charbel is still in a coma. We've prayed to God to help us and we hope he will help us.”</p> <p>An aunt of Charbel said that he has horrific injuries to his body as well as brain injuries.</p> <p>“They are going to slowly bring him out of the coma to assess the extent of his brain injuries,” the aunt said.</p> <p>Assaad granted permission for images of his children to be published so that the community could continue to pray for his son's recovery.</p> <p>Intricate School of Hip Hop, where the Abdallah and Kassis families attended, sent their condolences.</p> <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/intricatesohh/posts/2843667045668560" data-width="auto"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> <p>Our deepest condolences go out to the Abdallah, Sakr, Kassis &amp; Geagea families. Two of our students Charbel &amp; Mabelle...</p> Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/intricatesohh/">Intricate School Of Hip Hop</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/intricatesohh/posts/2843667045668560">Sunday, February 2, 2020</a></blockquote> </div> <p>“Our deepest condolences go out to the Abdallah, Sakr, Kassis &amp; Geagea families,” they wrote.</p> <p>“Two of our students Charbel &amp; Mabelle Kassis were also involved but were lucky enough to survive the horrific accident &amp; are currently recovering in hospital.</p> <p>“Our prayers also go out to Christina Geagea who has been apart of our studio for many years &amp; is the aunty to all children involved.”</p> <p>Friends of the Kassas siblings at Maronite College of the Holy Family came together for a prayer session at the school chapel on Tuesday morning. </p> <p>The school's principal Sister Irene Boughosn said teachers and students would be supporting the families involved in anyway they could.</p> <p>"May the Lord give them strength and be with the families and loved ones at this time of struggle," Sister Boughosn said in a statement. </p> <p>"Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers are with all those that are suffering during this time".</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Grandmother of four children killed in fatal car crash speaks out: “Angels on earth”

<p><span>The devastated grandmother of four children killed in a drunken car crash as they were going to get ice cream says the pain from the tragedy has been “too much to handle”. </span></p> <p><span>Abdallah siblings Sienna, eight, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13, died in Oatlands, in Sydney's north-west, on Saturday night alongside their 11-year-old cousin Veronique Sakr. </span></p> <p><span>The kids’ Grandmother Georgette Abdallah visited the site of the tragedy on Tuesday and broke down into tears as she described memories of her grandchildren.</span></p> <p><span>“They were angels on earth. They were looked after... My Angelina, she slept with a rosary in her hand. She said, ‘Teta, look after yourself’ and every time she saw tears in my eyes, she cried,” Ms Abdallah said.</span></p> <p><span>She said her grandson Antony was unlike many other teenagers his age, and said he promised to look after his grandmother when he grew older. </span></p> <p><span>She described Sienna as her “cheeky girl” who would always run to hug her grandmother.</span></p> <p><span>“The little one in the hospital is crying. She is asking: 'How am I going to go to school? How are we going to survive without them?',” Ms Abdallah said. </span></p> <p><span>She says her grandchildren adored her, particularly her cooking. </span></p> <p><span>She taught them to make cabbage leaves, which is what they had for their last meal. </span></p> <p><span>“Thank you everyone for supporting us,” Ms Abdallah went on to say.</span></p> <p><span>“Please pray for us. Pray for my son and his wife and all of us. That's too much to handle. Give us strength.”</span></p> <p><span>Samuel William Davidson, 29, was allegedly driving while three times the legal blood alcohol limit. </span></p> <p><span>Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday morning said the tragedy was unthinkable.</span></p> <p><span>“I just pray for their strength as a family. They will be grieving beyond imagination,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>Davidson's parents cake forward on Monday night to say they were devastated and their son was deeply remorseful for his alleged actions. </span></p> <p><span>“Those poor families have lost their children. No words can help them and I'm so sorry to them,” Allan Davidson told Nine News.</span></p> <p><span>Hundreds of people have visited the crash site in Oatlands to lay flowers and show support for the mourning families.</span></p>

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