HE WAS A RESPECTED INSURANCE BOSS AND RUGBY LEGEND..! – TRIBUTES POUR IN AFTER A SYDNEY MAN IS IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF FOUR PEOPLE STRUCK BY A CAR IN A HORRIFIC NASHVILLE CRASH.
Sydney insurance boss and rugby ‘legend’ killed in Nashville crash
Tributes are pouring in for a Sydney man who was identified as one of four people struck by a car in a horrific incident in the US.
An Australian insurance broker has been identified as the victim of a horror incident in the US city of Nashville after an elderly driver allegedly ran a red light and crashed into a group of pedestrians.
Timothy Wedlock, 58, died after the incident about 12.30pm on Saturday, local time, in the heart of the famous music city’s downtown district.
Distressing footage captured the vehicle careering through the intersection of Broadway and 4th Ave, then slamming into four pedestrians who were crossing the street.
Aussie dies in horror crash
An Australian insurance…
Mr Wedlock, from Sydney, suffered critical injuries and was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Centre. Local media reports he died soon after arrival.
Metro Nashville Police said the car was allegedly being driven by 87-year-old Thomas Cahill from Kentucky, who was travelling with his 90-year-old wife and her caregiver.
Sydney insurance broker Timothy Wedlock. Picture: Supplied
Mr Wedlock was known as ‘Guru’ among friends. Picture: Supplied
“His 2013 model Ford Fusion struck pedestrians in the crosswalk, fatally injuring one of them and causing serious injuries to three others,” police said in a statement.
Mr Wedlock last week marked 39 years at AEI Insurance Broking Group, where he was the executive chairman, with the company saying it was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“Tim was a cornerstone of AEI and a legend of this industry,” managing director and chief executive Noel Kelly posted on LinkedIn.
“Thirty-nine years in, he still had more energy than anyone in the room. He gave his time freely, to our people, to NIBA, to anyone who asked.
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“We have lost a leader and a mentor but most of all we have lost a mate.”
The Gordon Rugby Club on Sydney’s north shore also posted a tribute to Mr Wedlock, who was a former player, board member and sponsor of the club.
A car ploughed into four pedestrians in downtown Nashville. Picture: Supplied
The crash scene in one of the city’s busiest spots. Picture: Supplied
President Matt Glascott said the man known as “Guru” played over 200 games for the club, which he captained for a stint.
“Tim was the epitome of what Gordon Rugby stands for. A wonderful person, respected by all, a man who was forever positive, supportive, and there when it counted. I cannot think of any person who was prouder to be a member of the Gordon Rugby family.”
Mr Glascott offered his condolences to Mr Wedlock’s wife Prue and children Ash and Matt.
“Vale Tim, you will be missed; however, all of us at Gordon Rugby are better people for having enjoyed your company, your advice and most importantly, your friendship,” he wrote.
Willoughby councillor Robert Samuel wrote on Facebook that his former school mate Mr Wedlock had been travelling with his family at the time of the accident.
Timothy Wedlock has been remembered as a legend of the industry. Picture: Supplied
Industry body Specialist Underwriting Agencies wrote Mr Wedlock was one of the leading figures in the transport insuring broking sector.
“Tim’s generosity extended well beyond insurance. His love of rugby and his commitment to community were reflected in the time and energy he gave to clubs, associations and the people around him. He was generous, engaging, widely respected, and will be remembered by many for the energy he brought to every interaction.”
Three other people were injured in the tragic crash on one of Nashville’s busiest tourist spots.
Most of Nashville’s iconic honky tonk bars are located along Broadway, where punters pack into venues to catch live music or watch from the street.
The incident on one of Tennessee’s most famous streets on Saturday has rocked the city.
Local police said a 44-year-old man from Jacksonville, Florida, was in critical condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, as of Monday AEDT.
News outlet Fox 17 reported a 21-year-old woman from Knoxville suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and a 58-year-old woman from Parsons was also in critical but stable condition at Vanderbilt.
Authorities said the elderly man was driving a Ford Fusion. Picture: Supplied
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a social media post that the city had experienced “an incredibly tragic event, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families”.
“Right now, it’s unclear why the 87-year-old driver failed to stop for the pedestrians in the crosswalk,” he wrote.
“Our main goals now are to take care of the victims and to keep everyone else safe.”
Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said over the weekend investigators were trying to determine whether the driver experienced a medical emergency.
“The cause of this has to be determined as to what was going on with this 87-year-old driver from Kentucky,” he said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, local time, police said Mr Cahill “did not show any indicators of impairment”.
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Kelsey Dies, manager of nearby store Big Time Boots, told Fox 17 she witnessed aftermath of the chaos.
“Three of the people got hit, and they flew,” she said.
“We had another employee … who saw everything happen and actually attempted to give CPR to one of the people.”
