Supanova founder and director Daniel Zachariou has described the shock of a fatal incident outside the Melbourne convention, where an unlicensed driver struck and killed a young attendee.
The crash occurred on Saturday just before 5pm outside the Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale, when a blue Toyota allegedly mounted a kerb on Langs Road and hit a group of three pedestrians leaving the Supanova event.
A 20-year-old Keysborough man died at the scene. Another 20-year-old man was taken to hospital in a stable condition with serious leg injuries, while a third person was treated for trauma.
Police charged 33-year-old Werribee man Awer Dau with dangerous driving causing death and culpable driving while on bail, alleging he was unlicensed at the time. He did not apply for bail in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and is due back on September 16.
The event paused for a minute’s silence on Sunday.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Zachariou said organisers were largely unaware of what was unfolding outside at the time.
“We had guests signing until 7.30 because it was so popular, and yet, a whole tragedy was unfolding just 100 metres up the road that we really knew very little about,” he said.
“We’re all gutted and at the same time, like so many other people in the world who suffer tragedies, we’ve also had to just step up and do what we need to do in delivering this event.”
Police say the investigation is continuing, with further charges anticipated, and are still examining whether drugs, alcohol or speed played a role.
Witnesses reported the driver was restrained by bystanders before being arrested by an off-duty officer after allegedly attempting to flee.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
