Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
We know that detectives from the Major Crash Unit are
continuing to investigate a fatal crash in Palmerston earlier this month,
which claimed the life of a thirty six year old
local man, Stephen Sin. Two other men aged eighty two,
Steve's dad and thirty five. His brother was seriously injured
in that two vehicle crash on Kirkland Road in Durak
(00:23):
on May sixteen. Now, the driver of the other vehicle
allegedly fled the scene immediately after that crash, but the
thirty eight year old has since been arrested and charged
with a string of offenses including hit and run causing death,
careless driving causing serious harm, and disqualified driving. Now, as
(00:43):
I said, that was a family traveling in that car,
a local family, a local man was killed. Two of
his family members still recovering in hospital. Now joining me
on the line is Stephen Sinn's niece, Vanessa, saying good
morning to you, Vanessa.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Good morning, Katie. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yeah, thank you for joining me. Vanessa. When did you
first learn about what had happened with your family?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Pretty much once they we got the call from the police,
the family quite close so they meet all the interstate
calls and immediately after the crash.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So yeah, on the day, Vanessa, tell me a little
bit about Steve who passed away in the crash.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Stephen, he you know, he was such a gentle, gentle giant,
what I would say, he you know, he was a gentle,
caring son, brother, cousin.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
To us all.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
You know, a good colleague. He worked in you know,
as a public servant, at as a singer developer DW developer,
the anti government. You know, he was the primary care
and financial support for his parents, who are both on
a pension. And yeah, you know, his life is just
(02:05):
it's just tragic for us all.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
You know, it's tragic that he's been lost, and it
is tragic then that his dad and his brother is
still in the hospital. How are they going at this
point in time?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Ah, well, Stephen's father still a means in the ICU
and his brother David has only been recently moved to
the general ward. So they've still been treated for you know,
the life altering injuries that they've sustained, and you know
they're facing a long and uncertain road to recovery. So physically,
mentally and emotionally, it's it's a long ride for the
(02:40):
whole family. And yeah, the extended family are doing their
best to assist.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Vanessa. I can't even imagine what that must have been
like to get that call, you know, not only has
your cousin passed away, but then to learn that you
know that your uncle is in hospital fighting for his life,
and and that David, you know, his brother is also
in hospital. Like it's it's just unimaginable for most people
(03:10):
listening this morning.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Oh, that's right, and you know, to only you know,
to I just thought for my auntie, who you know,
had the call and you know, her whole family was
in the crash, and it's you know, the support that
we've had to give her. I just I just feel
for her, you know, having to organize everything, you know,
medical and funeral, et cetera. It's it's very very tragic.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Right now, Vanessa, can you tell me a little bit
about about Stephen and how his family want to have
him remembered.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Well, yeah, so he's we just want him to remember
as how he was. You know, we we basically in
the past, you know, he's always been known as quiet,
gentle and you know, just supportive, and we want everyone
know that you know, there's a life lost there, and
you know he's the wider community that knew him, know
(04:08):
the impact it's going to have on his parents.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, and you touched on this, he's the main pro
he's been the main provider, you know, helping to support
his parents on the pension. As he touched on, I
can only begin to imagine the void that that now
leaves and the stress that that leaves.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
That's right. And you know, so now it's you know,
my uncle's obviously at eighty two years old, and my
aunt is you know, also on the pension. So we're
having to wait for you know, David, you know, to
recover and deal with the loss of his brother, to
fill in the big shoes that you know, Stephen had.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
So oh, it is like it's just a terrible, terrible situation.
And you know, we talk very often on this show
about crashes that have happened, and sometimes I think people
hear that there's a crash, or they hear that there's
been a fatality, but it's not very often that we
speak to the family who's been impacted by such a
(05:08):
horrendous incident. And you know, what we are seeing on
our roads is just unacceptable. It's you know, and it's
got to stop.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Well, that's right, I mean, just on this road alone,
I hear that there's been you know, three serious incidents
in the past three weeks, and two of them have
been fatal. So you know, the increasing road from one
crime in the territory is quite concerning.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Vanessa. I know a thirty eight year old man's been
charged in relation to this incident and is now before
the court. So I want to be careful because I
don't want to jeopardize any legal proceedings in any way.
But what was your reaction when you learned that he'd
allegedly fled after the crash?
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Absolutely mortified and we felt anger someone that could just
you know, hurt somebody and just flee the scene. That's
just is this unimagine if someone actually could do that. So,
you know, we are assisting the police with the queries.
But it seems as though, you know, there's a lot
more to the story than what's being told. But you know,
(06:13):
it's yeah, there's a yeah, there's really there.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, and as I say, I won't go too deeply
into this because I don't want to jeopardize it in
any way. But I mean, you know, we know that
this person's been charged with driving while disqualified. You know,
I can't imagine how that makes you feel, as well
as being charged with hit and run you know, causing
(06:37):
death and hit and run causing serious harm to counts
mm hmm. I mean then when you look at these
reports that the alleged driver had a history of offending
which I can't go into. But I mean, do you
have a message for the Northern Territory government when it
comes to the justice system and community safety?
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Well, we're right now. We urgently, you know, the government
and the police to act with full diligence and transparency,
transparency to ensure that the individuals are involved are prevented
from from hurting other people, you know, causing other harm
to you know, another family.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Yeah, I mean you're spot on, like we've I don't
know how we like, you know, I don't know what
else to say without I don't want to, like I say,
this is before the courts, but it makes me feel
angry and upset, So I cannot imagine how it makes
you feel. Just in terms of other road users, I mean,
(07:42):
do you have a message for other road users this morning?
When you look at what's happened with your family and
the grief that you guys are going through, but also
the what's next in so many different ways in terms
of making sure that your aunt is looked after, making
sure your cousin who survived looked after. What is your
message for other road users?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
My message is, well, our message is just slow down,
be patient. You know, what's an extra couple of minutes
being late going to do rather than getting a call
your family, getting a call to say that you know,
something has tragically happened, you know, just be mindful on
the roads. Everyone, Just you do your part and get
(08:26):
home safely. We all deserve, you know, to have our
family members come home and to go home to our
family now.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I know, as you mentioned, Stephen was a born and
bred territory. And what's the response been from the community too.
He's passing.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Very supportive, supportive. We've had, you know, numerous phone calls, messages,
you know, offerings of you know, support financially. We appreciate
it all, you know, and we've got you know, his
colleagues will be attending the funeral that's been held later
(09:06):
on this week. You know, we're you know, we extend
our heart help heart felt thank you to everybody that's
been in touch with the family and the extended family.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Well, Vanessa, you know my love my prayers to your
family at this point in time. I really appreciate you
speaking to us. I think it's incredibly important that you
know that that people understand that when we speak about
this kind of road trauma, that there is a family
behind that trauma. And you know what you guys are
(09:42):
dealing with now. I can't even begin to imagine it.
So I really appreciate you taking the time to speak
to me, but to all of our listeners this morning.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Thank you so much, Katie.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
I really appreciate it all the best.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Thank you very much. Thank you.
We know that detectives from the Major Crash Unit are
continuing to investigate a fatal crash in Palmerston earlier this month,
which claimed the life of a thirty six year old
local man, Stephen Sin. Two other men aged eighty two,
Steve's dad and thirty five. His brother was seriously injured
in that two vehicle crash on Kirkland Road in Durak
(00:23):
on May sixteen. Now, the driver of the other vehicle
allegedly fled the scene immediately after that crash, but the
thirty eight year old has since been arrested and charged
with a string of offenses including hit and run causing death,
careless driving causing serious harm, and disqualified driving. Now, as
(00:43):
I said, that was a family traveling in that car,
a local family, a local man was killed. Two of
his family members still recovering in hospital. Now joining me
on the line is Stephen Sinn's niece, Vanessa, saying good
morning to you, Vanessa.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Good morning, Katie. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yeah, thank you for joining me. Vanessa. When did you
first learn about what had happened with your family?
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Pretty much once they we got the call from the police,
the family quite close so they meet all the interstate
calls and immediately after the crash.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So yeah, on the day, Vanessa, tell me a little
bit about Steve who passed away in the crash.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Stephen, he you know, he was such a gentle, gentle giant,
what I would say, he you know, he was a gentle,
caring son, brother, cousin.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
To us all.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
You know, a good colleague. He worked in you know,
as a public servant, at as a singer developer DW developer,
the anti government. You know, he was the primary care
and financial support for his parents, who are both on
a pension. And yeah, you know, his life is just
(02:05):
it's just tragic for us all.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
You know, it's tragic that he's been lost, and it
is tragic then that his dad and his brother is
still in the hospital. How are they going at this
point in time?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Ah, well, Stephen's father still a means in the ICU
and his brother David has only been recently moved to
the general ward. So they've still been treated for you know,
the life altering injuries that they've sustained, and you know
they're facing a long and uncertain road to recovery. So physically,
mentally and emotionally, it's it's a long ride for the
(02:40):
whole family. And yeah, the extended family are doing their
best to assist.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
Vanessa. I can't even imagine what that must have been
like to get that call, you know, not only has
your cousin passed away, but then to learn that you
know that your uncle is in hospital fighting for his life,
and and that David, you know, his brother is also
in hospital. Like it's it's just unimaginable for most people
(03:10):
listening this morning.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
Oh, that's right, and you know, to only you know,
to I just thought for my auntie, who you know,
had the call and you know, her whole family was
in the crash, and it's you know, the support that
we've had to give her. I just I just feel
for her, you know, having to organize everything, you know,
medical and funeral, et cetera. It's it's very very tragic.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Right now, Vanessa, can you tell me a little bit
about about Stephen and how his family want to have
him remembered.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Well, yeah, so he's we just want him to remember
as how he was. You know, we we basically in
the past, you know, he's always been known as quiet,
gentle and you know, just supportive, and we want everyone
know that you know, there's a life lost there, and
you know he's the wider community that knew him, know
(04:08):
the impact it's going to have on his parents.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Yeah, and you touched on this, he's the main pro
he's been the main provider, you know, helping to support
his parents on the pension. As he touched on, I
can only begin to imagine the void that that now
leaves and the stress that that leaves.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
That's right. And you know, so now it's you know,
my uncle's obviously at eighty two years old, and my
aunt is you know, also on the pension. So we're
having to wait for you know, David, you know, to
recover and deal with the loss of his brother, to
fill in the big shoes that you know, Stephen had.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
So oh, it is like it's just a terrible, terrible situation.
And you know, we talk very often on this show
about crashes that have happened, and sometimes I think people
hear that there's a crash, or they hear that there's
been a fatality, but it's not very often that we
speak to the family who's been impacted by such a
(05:08):
horrendous incident. And you know, what we are seeing on
our roads is just unacceptable. It's you know, and it's
got to stop.
Speaker 2 (05:18):
Well, that's right, I mean, just on this road alone,
I hear that there's been you know, three serious incidents
in the past three weeks, and two of them have
been fatal. So you know, the increasing road from one
crime in the territory is quite concerning.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Vanessa. I know a thirty eight year old man's been
charged in relation to this incident and is now before
the court. So I want to be careful because I
don't want to jeopardize any legal proceedings in any way.
But what was your reaction when you learned that he'd
allegedly fled after the crash?
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Absolutely mortified and we felt anger someone that could just
you know, hurt somebody and just flee the scene. That's
just is this unimagine if someone actually could do that. So,
you know, we are assisting the police with the queries.
But it seems as though, you know, there's a lot
more to the story than what's being told. But you know,
(06:13):
it's yeah, there's a yeah, there's really there.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, and as I say, I won't go too deeply
into this because I don't want to jeopardize it in
any way. But I mean, you know, we know that
this person's been charged with driving while disqualified. You know,
I can't imagine how that makes you feel, as well
as being charged with hit and run you know, causing
(06:37):
death and hit and run causing serious harm to counts
mm hmm. I mean then when you look at these
reports that the alleged driver had a history of offending
which I can't go into. But I mean, do you
have a message for the Northern Territory government when it
comes to the justice system and community safety?
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Well, we're right now. We urgently, you know, the government
and the police to act with full diligence and transparency,
transparency to ensure that the individuals are involved are prevented
from from hurting other people, you know, causing other harm
to you know, another family.
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Yeah, I mean you're spot on, like we've I don't
know how we like, you know, I don't know what
else to say without I don't want to, like I say,
this is before the courts, but it makes me feel
angry and upset, So I cannot imagine how it makes
you feel. Just in terms of other road users, I mean,
(07:42):
do you have a message for other road users this morning?
When you look at what's happened with your family and
the grief that you guys are going through, but also
the what's next in so many different ways in terms
of making sure that your aunt is looked after, making
sure your cousin who survived looked after. What is your
message for other road users?
Speaker 2 (08:04):
My message is, well, our message is just slow down,
be patient. You know, what's an extra couple of minutes
being late going to do rather than getting a call
your family, getting a call to say that you know,
something has tragically happened, you know, just be mindful on
the roads. Everyone, Just you do your part and get
(08:26):
home safely. We all deserve, you know, to have our
family members come home and to go home to our
family now.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
I know, as you mentioned, Stephen was a born and
bred territory. And what's the response been from the community too.
He's passing.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Very supportive, supportive. We've had, you know, numerous phone calls, messages,
you know, offerings of you know, support financially. We appreciate
it all, you know, and we've got you know, his
colleagues will be attending the funeral that's been held later
(09:06):
on this week. You know, we're you know, we extend
our heart help heart felt thank you to everybody that's
been in touch with the family and the extended family.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
Well, Vanessa, you know my love my prayers to your
family at this point in time. I really appreciate you
speaking to us. I think it's incredibly important that you
know that that people understand that when we speak about
this kind of road trauma, that there is a family
behind that trauma. And you know what you guys are
(09:42):
dealing with now. I can't even begin to imagine it.
So I really appreciate you taking the time to speak
to me, but to all of our listeners this morning.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Thank you so much, Katie.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
I really appreciate it all the best.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Thank you very much. Thank you.
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