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The Cardross road accident refers to a hit and run accident at Cardross, Victoria, Australia at 9.50pm on 18 February 2006,〔(Teenagers killed by car 'at wrong address' ) ''The Australian'', 21 March 2007〕 where a driver driving a Ford EA Falcon station wagon, struck a group of thirteen teenage pedestrians, killing five immediately and injuring eight more. The teenagers were walking along Myall Street, Cardross to a party in nearby Red Cliffs after being dropped by a taxi at an incorrect address.〔 Cassandra Manners, 16, Stevie-Lee Weight, 15, Cory Dowling, 16, Abby Hirst, 17 and her 16-year-old brother Shane Hirst all died at the scene. Josephine Calvi, 16, died the following day at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.〔(Mildura crash toll rises to six ) ''The Age'', 19 February 2006〕 On 20 February 2006, Thomas Graham Towle, an unemployed 35-year-old father of six from Red Cliffs appeared in the Mildura Magistrates Court,〔(Driver to face court, sixth teen dies ) ''Australian Broadcasting Corporation'', 20 February 2006〕 facing 17 charges, including six of culpable driving, five of negligently causing serious injury and one of failing to stop after an accident.〔(Teen 'threw bottle' at hit-and-run driver ) ''The Courier-Mail'', 21 March 2007〕 Towle made no application for bail and was remanded〔(Man charged over Mildura car crash ) ''Australian Broadcasting Corporation'', 20 February 2006〕 in custody and ordered to reappear before the Mildura Magistrates Court for a committal hearing to begin during March 2007. His trial before the Supreme Court began in Melbourne on 4 February 2008. ==Aftermath== Peter Gallagher, a family member of victim Cory Dowling, read a statement on behalf of the victims families to a crowd of over 600〔(Community devastated by deadly hit-and-run ) ''Australian Broadcasting Corporation'', 19 February 2006〕 mourners gathered on the lawns at the Mildura Base Hospital on the night of the accident, :"''We are now aware that we have lost our beautiful children overnight. In a moment of time, our lives have been changed forever. No words can describe what we are and will be going through.''〔 The Government of Victoria announced it would provide A$40,000 for counselling of victims and relatives.〔 Former Prime Minister, John Howard issued a statement following the accident, :''"It is just such a tragic loss of young lives. It is heartbreaking. Young kids out on a Saturday night to enjoy themselves and something like this happens. I, like all other Australians, (am) dreadfully sorry. I can't do more than express my profound sympathy and condolences to those who have lost their children and their friends in this terrible accident.''"〔(Crash man appears in court ) ''The Age'', 20 February 2006〕 Michael Jeffery, the Governor-General of Australia, also sent a message of condolence to the Mildura community, which he had visited during 2005.〔(Mildura Accident ) ''Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia'', 19 February 2006〕 Two minutes silence was observed at the Lock Rock Music Festival held in Mildura a week after the accident, on 25 February 2006.〔('We'll miss your cheeky grin' ) ''The Age'', 21 February 2006〕 The festival was hosted by radio announcer and former Red Cliffs resident, Myf Warhurst. Towle's family, including his children, reported receiving threats from members of the community, forcing police to make an announcement appealing for calm. Acting Inspector Michael Talbot of the Major Collision Investigation Unit was quoted as saying, :"''Creating more tensions is not going to help them. It's not going to help their families come to grips with what has happened. We, as the community, the police, the people of Mildura, all need to work together to keep calm on this and ensure that everything's done smoothly, properly and there's no trouble caused."''〔 The father of the accused, Graham Towle, offered his condolences, saying : ''"... with pain and tears, I want everyone to know I feel so sorry for the families and friends of the grieving and dreadful loss that has happened. The community has rallied around all concerned and I, as the father and grandfather, publicly thank them for their kindness and words of compassion."''〔(Accused's father grieves Mildura victims ) ''The Age'', 23 February 2006〕 On 18 February 2007, a memorial service was held at Mildura's Henderson Park to mark the first anniversary of the accident. A permanent roadside memorial was erected at the scene of the accident in early 2007.〔http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=Myall%20Street%2C%20Cardross&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Cardross road accident」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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