Husband charged over wife’s death in Hamilton Island buggy crash
<p dir="ltr">The husband of a woman <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/update-to-tragic-honeymoon-death-on-hamilton-island">who died in a buggy crash</a> during their honeymoon has been charged in relation to her death.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Marina Hanna and Robbie Awad were wed on June 11, 2022, before heading to Queensland’s Hamilton Island for their honeymoon two days later.</p>
<p dir="ltr">On June 20, a ride in a golf buggy went horribly wrong, with the 29-year-old bride suffering critical injuries after the electric vehicle flipped over.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Initial reports claimed the buggy had started to run out of the battery and Mr Awad, who was driving, made a U-turn to drive back and charge it when it flipped over.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Ms Hanna was allegedly not wearing her seat belt, and fell out of the vehicle, dying at the scene.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While police initially said the incident was nothing more than “a tragic accident”, an extensive police investigation has resulted in several charges laid against Mr Awad, including driving without due care and attention, seatbelt offences, and using a mobile phone while driving.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The 30-year-old is due to face the Proserpine Magistrates Court on December 5.</p>
<p dir="ltr">He reportedly presented to Queensland Police last week, per the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11432643/Hamilton-Island-Robbie-Awad-Marina-Hanna-golf-buggy-charged.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em>, after he was asked to hand himself in.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In the wake of her death, Mr Awad <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/heartbroken-husband-speaks-after-honeymoon-tragedy">took to social media to share his heartbreak</a>, writing that his heart was broken and his world shattered after losing “the most beautiful girl in the world”.</p>
<p dir="ltr">During an interview in July, he said his wife had “never looked so beautiful” as they boarded a helicopter to fly over the island the day before the accident.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“She was radiating before she left [this life]. 'It was because God was calling her home,” he said. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“She is an angel. </p>
<p dir="ltr">“There are no two ways about it.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Clips shared on Instagram show the couple walking across the tarmac to board their Qantas flight to Queensland at the start of their trip, as well as the interior of their plush resort upon their arrival.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Another, posted before Ms Hanna’s death, showed Mr Awad driving the buggy to their resort while she filmed the scenery from the passenger seat.</p>
<p dir="ltr">After her passing, Mr Awad started a non-for-profit organisation in Ms Hanna’s name to “spread love, joy and kindness to the world” like she did.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The foundation will hold two major events every year, each year going forward,” he said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">“The first will be a charity ball, the second will be a family fun day, as Marina held family close to her heart always.”</p>
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<p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>
