Walkaway locals mourned
The sleepy town of Walkaway is in mourning after the deaths of two much-loved locals, Nick and Kylie Hamersley.
Childhood sweethearts and dedicated parents of four children, the Hamersleys died at the weekend when their Toyota LandCruiser rolled 50km east of Wicherina.
Mr Hamersley, 53, and Mrs Hamersley, 50, were returning home from the Valley View Air show late on Saturday when their vehicle left the road.
They were found by a passer-by about 8am on Sunday.
The Hamersley family name is an historical one, the family dates back to the 1800s as one of five founding families in the Walkaway area.
A road in the district is named after the family.
Walkaway resident Jo Logue said the whole town was devastated at the sudden loss.
“It’s just absolute devastation, they were taken too young,” Mrs Logue said.
“I knew Nick growing up. He went to school here in Walkaway with my kids, he was a nice man, keen to be a truckie. We just can’t believe it.”
General store worker Alannah Miller said she couldn’t find the words to describe her sadness.
“Everyone feels numb, it’s just still so raw and upsetting,” she said.
“What’s happened is tragic.”
Daughter Nicole said Mr Hamersley was presented with a Local Hero award in Canberra in 2007, by then Prime Minister John Howard, for his work on the levee bank at Walkaway.
She said it was a moment he remembered with pride.
The couple are survived by daughters Peta, Jade, Nicole and Alisha and five grandsons.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Police are seeking witnesses who may have seen the vehicle or been in the area at the time.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
