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Grieving widower tells of honeymoon tragedy

A grieving widower, who lost his young bride in a tragic scooter accident while honeymooning in Vietnam, says he does not blame anyone for her death.

James Weedon says not a single day goes by when he does not think about his 26-year-old bride Katie Hirth.

Katie, a nurse from Geelong, was hit and killed by a truck while riding a scooter in the ancient village of Hoi An in March. She died instantly.

Ktie Hirth and James Weedon on their wedding day. Photo: Supplied by family
Ktie Hirth and James Weedon on their wedding day. Photo: Supplied by family

She had sent a text message to her family and friends just hours earlier telling of her excitement about the scooter tour.

"Gotta go. Going on the scooter tour. See ya." she wrote.

The sweethearts had married on the beach at Barwon Heads, and had embarked on a one-month backpacking tour of south-east Asia. The couple only made it to central Vietnam.

James says he is not angry about his wife's death, but instead takes comfort from knowing she was immensely happy on that day.

"I don’t blame anyone; it was purely timing," he told the Geelong Advertiser.

"It could have happened on the highway here. I take some comfort in knowing it happened when she was on an absolute high, rather than if it was six months ago driving to Melbourne on any normal day."

Beloved nurse Katie Hirth killed while honeymooning in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied by family
Beloved nurse Katie Hirth killed while honeymooning in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied by family

The pair initially met through mutual friends in 2004. They reunited two years later and fell in love.

James said they did everything together during their eight year relationship - from dining out to camping trips in dense bushland.

A week after the tragedy, James returned home without his new wife.

"I miss her more than anything, and I'd do anything to have her back, but I'm getting up early and keeping myself busy until I go to sleep," he told the Geelong Advertiser.

Overwhelmed by the kindness and support of the Hoi An community, James says he plans to return to the village on the first anniversary of Katie's death.

James and Katie did everything together. Photo: Facebook
James and Katie did everything together. Photo: Facebook

To honour Katie, James has organised to donate money to Geelong Animal Rescue - a cause close to Katie's heart.

James says he wants to keep Katie's memory alive by talking about her everyday.

"That's all we've done since she passed; we talk about her everyday," he says.

James says he is living by Katie's mantra: 'Life is short; live life to the fullest'.

James Weedon has opened up about the honeymoon tragedy that claimed the life of his new bride, Katie. Photo: Facebook
James Weedon has opened up about the honeymoon tragedy that claimed the life of his new bride, Katie. Photo: Facebook