A man cried out three heartbreaking words after his girlfriend was fatally injured in a shocking glass door accident.
Claire Austin, 38, a British marketing executive living in Sydney, Australia, suffered a catastrophic injury when she crashed into a sliding glass door inside her Randwick flat. The impact severed an artery and left her bleeding heavily.
Neighbours were jolted awake just after 7:30AM earlier this month, by the sound of a loud crash followed by desperate cries of “somebody help me," The Sun reported.
One resident, who lives in the same building, said the couple, Claire and her boyfriend Lee Loughlin, 44, were often heard arguing, but this time it was different.
“They both sounded (like) something wrong would happen,” he said, per the Daily Mail. “I heard the woman at first, and it worried me. Then I heard the man. I think I heard a cras,h and then I didn’t hear the woman again.”
Lee, who is originally from the UK and runs a recruitment company called Lead Group, reportedly told police the couple had been fighting just before Claire went through the glass door.
He has since cooperated with police and was admitted to a mental health facility following the incident.
Claire was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support, but doctors quickly realised the severity of her injuries.
Her family flew from Woking, Surrey, to Sydney and arrived just hours before she passed away.
The pair had been living in their two-bedroom flat since May last year. No arrests have been made, but police had filed for an apprehended violence order on Claire’s behalf, which was due to be heard in court.
Friends and former colleagues gathered at Claire’s home that day to pay tribute.
Described by coworkers as “a lovely person” with a zest for life and a wide circle of friends, Claire’s memory is already being honoured.
One heartbreaking note left outside read: “To the sweetest soul, it was an honour to have known you. Your presence is truly missed. Thank you for all your love and support – words can’t describe how painful this is. Rest in peace Claire.”
The Deputy Commissioner of New South Wales Police, Peter Thurtell, commented on the ongoing investigation, stating: “This is a tragic loss of life and we are determined to work out exactly what happened."
"People have to stop dying in situations of domestic violence. Whether it’s women or men, and most of the time it is women who die in DV situations, it is tragic and it has to end," he added.
Lee has since been released from the mental health facility without charge, though the criminal investigation remains active.