Merinda–Pam Burridge collision

A collision between the private cruiser Merinda and the Sydney HarbourCat Pam Burridge, which occurred on 28 March 2007 near the Sydney Harbour Bridge, claimed the lives of four members of Australia's ice skating elite, and injured two other people. The skaters were on board the nine-metre motor cruiser Merinda to celebrate the national team's performance at the World Championships in Tokyo the week before.

Merinda–Pam Burridge collision
HarbourCat Pam Burridge in 2015.
Date28 March 2007
PlaceSydney Harbour, Australia
Vessels involved• ML Merinda
• Pam Burridge
CauseFailure of Merinda to adequately light itself during nighttime, resulting in collision
Result• Merinda destroyed
• 4 aboard Merinda killed, 2 injured
• Pam Burridge damaged

Description

Fourteen-year-old Morgan Innes, who had won the 2006 Queensland Intermediate Ladies Championship and was placed seventh at the 2006 Australian Championships in the novice ladies division, was killed along with ice skating judges Simone Moore and Alan Blinn, and 45-year-old Sydney man James Engert on the sightseeing trip when the cabin cruiser collided with the Sydney Ferries Harbour Cat Pam Burridge just before 11 pm.[1] Also injured in the crash was Innes's coach Liz Cain who represented Australia in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games; Cain's leg had to be amputated.[2] Innes's body was missing for five days[3] before it was discovered on 2 April by a police dive team 200 metres from the crash site.

In April 2007, Innes's parents established the Morgan Innes Foundation, which raises funds to help young ice skaters pursue their profession.[4] In 2010, the International Olympic Committee banned the wearing of a yellow bracelet by Australian Olympic figure skater Cheltzie Lee to honour Innes, deeming the bracelet a sponsorship item. Lee had worn the bracelet since 2007 when she competed and trained, including international meets.[5][6]

References
  1. Kontominas, Belinda (18 May 2009). "Sydney Harbour fatal ferry crash: boat was diverting to see Russell Crowe's home". The Age.
  2. Calligeros, Marissa (18 May 2009). "Fatal harbour crash inquest begins". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  3. Porter, Barney (30 March 2007). "Father of missing girl holds no malice against boat driver". ABC.net.au.
  4. "The Morgan Innes Foundation". MorganInnes.com. 2007. Archived from the original on 7 December 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  5. Haynes, Rhys (11 February 2010). "Ice-cold IOC bans friend's tribute to skater Morgan Innes". The Daily Telegraph (AU). Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  6. "Skater's memorial wristband won't offend IOC, says AOC". The Age. AAP. 11 February 2010.
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