A WITNESS has shared what he heard around the moment when a Brit woman died after running through a glass door in Australia.
Claire Austin, 38, who lived in Sydney, Australia, suffered a severed artery when she hit a sliding glass door inside her flat.
Her boyfriend, Lee Loughlin, 44, has reportedly told police the couple were arguing before she went through the door.
A man’s screams of “somebody help me” followed a loud crash as the tragic incident unfolded.
One neighbour has told Daily Mail Australia what he heard at the time of the tragic incident.
He had noticed the couple arguing frequently, but he noted that Saturday’s disagreement seemed more intense than usual.
“They both sounded (like) something wrong would happen,” he said.
“I heard the woman at first and it worried me. Then I heard the man.
“I think I heard a crash and then I didn’t hear the woman again.”
Medics found Claire bleeding profusely just after 7:30am on Saturday and rushed to her hospital, where she tragically died three days later.
The marketing executive, originally from Woking, Surrey, lived with her boyfriend Lee Loughlin, 44, also from the UK.
Neighbours said they heard the pair arguing, and Lee reportedly told cops they had a row before the fatal slam.
Claire was rushed to hospital and put on life support, but doctors knew she would not survive her injuries.
After receiving the news, her family immediately flew from the UK to Sydney.
They arrived on Tuesday morning, and Claire passed away hours later.
No arrests have been made in relation to the death.
However, an application for an apprehended violence order, submitted by police on Claire’s behalf, was due to be heard in court on Thursday.
The application process began following the incident at Randwick.
Friends gathered at Claire’s apartment on Thursday to leave tributes and commemorate her.
Former colleagues said she was “a lovely person” who embraced life and had lots of friends.
One of the cards left for Claire read: “To the sweetest soul, it was an honour to have known you. Your presence is truly missed.
“Thank you for all your love and support – words can’t describe how painful this is. Rest in peace Claire.”
Claire’s boyfriend, Lee, is a recruitment analyst from the UK who runs his own company, Lead Group in Darling Harbour.
The couple began renting the two bedroom flat in Randwick last May.
Neighbours said they heard them “fighting constantly”, but that Saturday’s argument seemed “way worse”.
Lee co-operated with police and assisted with their inquiries, before being admitted to a mental health facility.
A New South Wales Police spokesperson said: “He has since been released without charge and no arrests have been made at this time.”
However, a criminal investigation into the death continues.
Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell expressed that the incident was a heartbreaking loss and emphasized the importance of determining the exact sequence of events leading up to it.
“People have to stop dying in situations of domestic violence,”
“Whether it’s women or men, and most of the time it is women who die in DV situations, it is tragic and it has to end.”
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
