Slippery road a factor in Aussie sprint star’s death, police say
Updated . First published
Rising Australian athletics star Jemma Stapleton was killed when her motorcycle slid into oncoming traffic on a slippery road, Thailand authorities have said.
The 25-year-old Melbourne sprinter’s death on holiday shocked Australia’s sporting world last week.
Sprinter Jemma Stapleton has died in a shock accident overseas. Instagram
Stapleton placed third in last year’s Stawell Gift final, Australia’s richest short-distance sprint competition.
Now, Thailand media has reported police are reviewing the circumstances that led to her death.
It’s believed Stapleton and her family were riding motorcycles on a highway at Koh Samui, local news outlet The Nation reported.
The young sprinter was riding ahead of her family when her motorcycle slipped on a wet section of road and veered into oncoming traffic.
Stapleton suffered severe head injuries and died at the scene.
Two other cars, one driven by a Russian man and the other by a Thai woman, were also halted at the scene, but no charges have been reported.
Stapleton’s younger brother Joel said his family is “devastated by this imaginable loss” in a statement shared with 9News.
“I was so incredibly lucky to have her as my sister and to have her guiding me through life,” Joel said.
“She had a heart of gold, always putting others before herself, and her kindness touched everyone who knew her.
“Her smile was infectious and could brighten even the darkest day.”
The 21-year-old added that his sister’s death has left a “hole in my heart”.
He thanked the community for the outpouring of support and love following her sudden passing.
“While our family is devastated by this imaginable loss, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring love and support from friends, family, teammates and the wider community,” Joel said.
Stapleton was a finalist in the Stawell Gift. Instagram
“Every message, tribute, donation and act of kindness has reminded us of just how many lives she touched.
“She was deeply loved and she will be deeply missed. I will carry her with me for the rest of my life.”
Tributes have poured in for the runner. Instagram
An online fundraiser set up on behalf of her family said Stapleton had died in an accident while on an overseas holiday with her family.
“Jemma was a valued member of our community whose presence, character and contribution left a lasting impact on those around her,” The Victorian Athletic League said in a tribute post.
“On behalf of everyone at the Victorian Athletic League, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”
In a video posted to Instagram in September last year, Stapleton said she had been racing since she was four and joked that she was “running before I could walk”.
“Last year was just sort of my breakthrough year,” she said.
“Seeing my name up on the Stawell scoreboard, which is such, like, a ‘pinch me’ moment.”
The fundraiser for Stapleton’s family has raised more than $88,000 of a $100,000 target in under 24 hours.
