Tragedy Strikes: Beloved Couple and Friend Killed in Horror Plane Crash on Way to Bathurst 1000
- Guy Sebastian pays heartfelt tribute to the three victims, describing them as “the kindest, most generous people you could ever meet”
- The singer reveals he had a close friendship with the married couple, who were killed alongside their friend in the Shellharbour Airport crash
- The community mourns the loss of the “beautiful friends”, remembering them as “visionary leaders” and “pillars of the community”
Australian singer Guy Sebastian has spoken out about the devastating loss of his close friends, Andrew and Julianne Connors, and their friend Colin McLachlan, who tragically died in a plane crash on their way to the Bathurst 1000.
In a heartfelt tribute on social media, Sebastian described the couple as “the kindest, most generous people you could ever meet”. The singer revealed he first met Andrew 15 years ago, when he needed building work done, and was impressed by his integrity and honour.
“I met Andrew 15 years ago, when he told me I was being ripped off for a building job down the south coast,” Sebastian said. “He did the job for less than a quarter of what I was quoted from other builders.” This was the start of a beautiful friendship, with Andrew and his wife Julianne becoming pillars of their community.
Andrew, who owned and piloted the aircraft, was also a volunteer pilot for the RFDS and had built shelters for Sebastian’s foundation, which helps women escape violence. The singer remembered the couple as “shining lights in their community”.
“The world lost three wonderful people on Saturday,” Sebastian wrote. “Two of which I was lucky enough to know and call my friends. Andrew and Jules were the kindest, most generous people you could know.”
The community has been left devastated by the loss of the “beautiful friends”, with tributes pouring in from those who knew them. Andrew and Julianne, who leave behind two children in their 20s, were remembered as “visionary leaders” by their friends and colleagues.
“Andrew and Jules epitomised what it meant to be a shining light in a community,” Sebastian said. “As a friend, he was always checking in and cheering me on. The world is not the same without them.”
The trio’s deaths have been described as a “tragic loss for the Illawarra region”. They were killed when their Piper Cherokee Lance fixed-wing aircraft burst into flames after hitting the tarmac at Shellharbour Airport.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, but witnesses described the aircraft as “dipping” with its left wing coming down before contacting the tarmac.
As the community comes to terms with the loss of three wonderful people, Guy Sebastian’s heartfelt tribute is a poignant reminder of the impact they had on those around them.
“Thinking of the families involved and sending love to the Connors and also Colin’s family. Absolutely heartbroken,” Sebastian said.