The Star: December 14, 2023

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The Star Thursday December 14 2023 4 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Speak up against drink driving, say • By Samantha Gee THE FAMILY of a man killed while cycling to Christchurch for his first grandchild’s baby shower hopes his death serves as a reminder of the dangers of drink driving. Andrew Milne was hit on State Highway 1 north of Blenheim in April by a car driven by Samuel Richard Paterson, 29, who was more than five times over the legal limit. Paterson was sentenced to 11 months home detention and 200 hours of community work, ordered to pay Milne’s family $18,000 in reparation and disqualified from driving for three years. He was working as a night shift press supervisor at a winery on April 19, and had taken part in a wine tasting about 2am, before finishing his shift and driving home towards Blenheim, shortly before 7am. At the same time, Milne was cycling along State Highway 1 bound for Christchurch, having arrived in Picton on the Bluebridge Ferry not long after 5.30am. He was wearing a yellow high-vis jacket and had lights on the front and back of his helmet, along with the front and back of his bike. Paterson’s vehicle crossed the FAMILY: Andrew Milne with his twin daughters Alice and Sorrel O’Connell-Milne. Milne was hit by drunk driver Richard Paterson while cycling to Alice’s baby shower, and died at the scene. PHOTO: RNZ centre line several times on his journey home, forcing oncoming traffic to take evasive action to avoid a collision. After exiting a sweeping left-hand bend in the highway, he failed to straighten up and hit Milne’s bicycle from behind. Milne was thrown 40m from where he was hit and died at the scene as a result of injuries to his head and spine. His daughter, Alice O’Connell- Milne, said she regretted inviting her dad to her son’s baby shower, wondering if had he not set out on that journey, he might still be alive. She gave birth to Dahli weeks after the crash and said overwhelming grief had intruded on the joy of motherhood. “From my first moments of having my son in my arms, my grief distracted from the joy of my new baby. I could only sob, thinking of my dad holding me as a baby and having loved me and my siblings so unconditionally the entirety of our lives. “To not have his love and company into the future is so deeply unfair and inconceivable.” Instead of celebrating her baby’s arrival, the family was left to organise a funeral. ‘It didn’t have to happen, it was an unnecessary, completely avoidable situation’ – Alice O’Connell-Milne “It didn’t have to happen, it was an unnecessary, completely avoidable situation and if (Paterson) had made different choices, it wouldn’t have happened,” O’Connell-Milne said. Her twin sister, Sorrel O’Connell-Milne, said family was everything to her father, who was a talented builder and craftsman with a love of cycling, sailing, surfing and adventure. “Dad has always had an adventurous spirit and he instilled that in us. We would go on massive bike rides together as a family, sometimes with just a few days prep beforehand but he always had safety first and that was evident on the day (he died), five different lights, high-vis,” she said. The family had gone on cycling trips across New Zealand, but none of them had been able to ride again since the crash, she said. The loss of her “loving, interested and attentive” father had been all-consuming and triggered panic attacks and anxiety that made it difficult to work.
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz dead cyclist’s family Local Videos WORTH A WATCH Thursday December 14 2023 The Star NEWS 5 Shirley farewells community advocate in style Therapy through art MISSED: Andrew Milne. Right – Sorrel, Alice and Austin O’Connell-Milne with Alice’s son Dahli, who was born after Milne’s death. PHOTOS: RNZ Sorrel O’Connell-Milne attended a restorative justice meeting with Paterson, which she said was tough, but gave her a chance to tell him just how much his behaviour had affected their family. She said he expressed his remorse and was seeking help for alcohol and drug addiction. She asked Paterson to cycle the stretch of road between Picton and Blenheim so he could imagine being in her father’s position, and he speak publicly about the crash to illustrate the impact of drink driving on others. Paterson said he intended to comply with the conditions of his sentence and the expectations of the sentencing judge. While those conditions were still being set by his probation officer, he could not comment any further. Sorrel O’Connell-Milne said she hoped the tragedy would encourage people to help others struggling with problem drinking and support them to make better decisions. “No one took Sam’s keys from him that night, it was so preventable, this didn’t need to happen, it is just a huge tragedy,” she said. “I just want all those families with people who are struggling with alcohol to reach out and be there. Those friends that know their mates drink too much just speak up. We see it all the time, people dying on our roads from drunk drivers and it just needs to stop.” Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan said accidents like these were heartbreaking and avoidable. “Everyone who is using our streets deserves to be safe, they deserve to get home safely whether they are on a bike, walking or driving,” he said. – RNZ • Jail for drink driver who fled scene, page 11 Find them all and more at: Te Pūkenga to be replaced with 8-10 institutions Farmer launches new beer Thousands of ‘tough kids’ rise to the challenge Click the video tab starnews.co.nz Tasmania Coach Tour 12 Days - Departs 22nd April 2024 Includes home pick up and flights $5995 per person • Eleven Nights Accommodation • Widllife Park • Port Arthur • Mount Field National Park • Gordon River Cruise • Craddle Mountain • Stanley • Launceston • Freycinet National Park • Good Quality Coach and Accommodation Phone Reid Tours 0800 446 886 Email: reidtours@xtra.co.nz www.reidtours.com Email to join our mailing list SUMMER DISCOUNTS ON OUR OUTDOOR AWNINGS Folding Arm, Straight Drop or Louvre Roofs Awnings are designed to provide convenience, comfort and shelter with automated solutions. We have a number of different styles to suit your needs and budget. Not only will these provide great shelter, but also make the place look vibrant and cosy, and to top it off THEY ARE NEW ZEALAND MADE! The system can be operated manually or controlled with a remote system, which makes it even more convenient and hassle-free. ASK ABOUT OUR NEW LOUVRE ROOF SYSTEMS! We come to you with our mobile service, or see us in-store. Free Measure & Quote 99 Sawyers Arms Rd, Papanui Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm Phone. 365 4666 www.venluree.co.nz
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The Star: December 14, 2023

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