Published: 19 Mar 2011
MUA seafarer gave his life to save others
Seafarer and long term MUA member Alan Turkington, 58, died from massive head injuries Friday after being hit by a car in Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast Queensland on Wednesday last week.
Alan was left on life support until Friday so his two adult children could fly from New Zealand for a bedside vigil with their mother Irene.
The Queensland Branch was contacted early Thursday morning regarding the horrendous accident that made national headlines.
Despite an operation and intensive care at the Gold Coast Hospital, Alan's head injuries were too severe.
"Alan was stuck by a motor vehicle after he had stopped to assist others who had been involved in a car crash," Trevor reported in a circular to national officials.
"His selfless act epitomised the way in which grandfather Alan Turkington lived his life -- putting others before himself," the Gold Coast News reported. "The Mudgeeraba man rushed to help two small children from a car that crashed into a guardrail on Franklin Rd.
"He lifted the children, aged five and six, to safety and was assisting the driver when another car slammed into the dark-coloured sedan.
"The impact hurled the good Samaritan on to the road, leaving him with critical head injuries."
Alan had been having a few drinks with mates in Mudgeeraba and was walking home at the time.
Joe Paltridge, MUA a mate of 40 years, told the local paper Alan would not have thought twice about helping the children.
"This would be a natural reaction for him," Joe said.
The two children and the 28-year-old man from the first vehicle suffered only minor injuries and were taken to Robina Hospital.
Alan had a distinguished career with the Royal New Zealand Air Force before moving with his young family to Western Australia about 20 years ago.
He worked on an oil rig moving to the Gold Coast about a decade ago.
"He was a seafarer, loved travelling throughout the east coast of Australia, going away for long weekends," Joe said.
"He's in a couple of military associations and keeps in contact with all his former service mates, and a very proud MUA member.
"Which is exactly the type of guy he is, constantly helping others."
The Queensland branch is raising funds to assist the family.
