Freeman In Shock Over Brother's Death
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday September 18, 2008
A BROTHER of the Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman has been killed in a car accident in Mackay in north Queensland.
Norm Freeman, 34, was a passenger in the front seat of a car that swerved off the road and slammed into the back of a truck on Tuesday. Freeman's management this morning confirmed his death. Freeman's manager, Carolyn Schuwalow, said the former sprinter and her family were in shock. Freeman was at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday when she was told of the accident, a spokeswoman said.She had been travelling for work with the Catherine Freeman Foundation but had now joined her mother in Queensland."Catherine wishes to thank all Australians who have offered support and sent in their condolences. She has asked that her family's privacy be respected at this time," Ms Schuwalow said yesterday in a statement issued on behalf of the family.Family friend Tanna Corowa told Channel Seven yesterday: "[Mr Freeman] was a champion lad ... just like his sister, just talented."Mackay police said a man died when a vehicle swerved off Slade Point Road and continued into a parking area where it hit a parked truck about 5.20pm on Tuesday.The female driver was taken to Mackay hospital but her injuries were not life threatening, while two backseat passengers were not hurt, they said.A blood sample had been taken from the driver and would be analysed in coming days. Freeman has two surviving brothers, Gavin and Garth. Their sister, Ann Marie, died from cerebral palsy in 1990.with AAP
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald
