Distressing footage has been aired in court of the moments after the fatal crash of a golf buggy being driven by a honeymooning husband on Hamilton Island, killing his new wife.
Robbie Awad has pleaded guilty to charges of not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone, but is fighting a single charge of driving without attention prior to the roll of the buggy that resulted in the death of Marina Hanna.
Awad faced Proserpine Magistrates Court, in Queensland‘s north, on Thursday, flanked by a half-dozen supporters and celebrity defence lawyer Bryan Wrench, and with rosary beads hanging around his neck.
Bodycam footage was aired in court for the first time from the immediate aftermath of the June 20, 2022, incident, in which Awad could be heard sobbing and telling police: ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t listen to her.
‘She told me, “Put your phone down!” I said, “What is the worst that could happen? We are driving 5km/h.”
‘We turned around and it picked up steam. F***ing hell, f***ing hell.’
Defence barrister Phil Boulton SC told the court the phone was ‘back in his pocket by the time of the crash’ – a fact conceded by the prosecution.
In the bodycam video, Awad said Marina was ‘too good for me – she always did the right thing. She was the most caring…’
He asked the police: ‘What are the chances [of a crash]? There can’t be a high probability of that happening’.
Robbie Awad (centre) arrives at court with an entourage of supporters, including celebrity defence solicitor Bryan Wrench. Awad had rosary beads around his neck
Awad is pictured with wife Marina on their wedding day
A police officer responded: ‘They [the island’s hire buggies] do tip quite easily.’
Awad then described how the buggy picked up the pace and Marina fell out and hit her head after he did a U-turn.’
‘The thing wasn’t moving fast, then it picked up – that was as we were doing [the] turn.
‘She came out and hit her head. How did it not land anywhere else, but on her head? I can’t believe this is happening.’
The police officer then told Awad the golf buggy was ‘completely different’ in the way it handles compared to a car.
‘I can’t believe she is dead,’ Awad said. ‘How the hell did that happen?’
Mr Boulton argued Awad had been driving with due care and was trying to turn around due to the battery being low.
Mr Boulton argued the vehicle slowed to a ‘crawl’ while performing the U-turn, prompting the groom to push down on the accelerator.
A large group of supporters flanked Awad as he arrived at Proserpine Magistrates Court
Golf buggies are famously used by Hamilton Island guests to get around the island
Mr Boulton claimed the vehicle suddenly roared back to life – sending Ms Hanna flying out of the buggy in a ‘tragic accident’.
‘He will say it was going no more than 2km-3km an hour,’ Mr Boulton said.
‘He had to put his foot on the accelerator to get it to even do that. In the course of the turn, the vehicle accelerates completely unexpectedly.
‘The time between acceleration and the tipping point is to be measured in two seconds, if that, and by that time, the situation is totally irretrievable.’
The hearing is expected to last at least two days and is continuing.