Volunteer Firefighter, 31, Dies in Alleged Hit-and-Run on Way Home from Helping Someone He Loved, Says Heartbroken Mom By Escher Walcott

A woman was arrested and charged in relation to the death of a volunteer firefighter who, authorities say, was killed in an alleged hit-and-run in Sydney, Australia.

James Swainston, 31, was fatally struck by a vehicle while riding a motorcycle in the suburb of Marsden Park at around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, the New South Wales Police (NSW) said in a news release.

“Emergency services were called to Richmond Road, Marsden Park, following reports of a crash,” said the NSW. “Officers attached to Mount Druitt Police Area Command attended and found a motorcycle and a Ford utility had collided.”

Other drivers on the road rushed to his assistance, but Swainston was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said that the driver of the other vehicle allegedly fled the scene. However, they confirmed that a 37-year-old woman was arrested in connection to the incident at a business in Penrith at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21. 

She was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death and driving a motor vehicle with a disqualified license, stated the NSW release.

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7News Australia reported that the suspect crossed over onto the wrong side of the road when she crashed into Swainston. She fled the scene after her vehicle caught fire, the outlet reported, citing police and photos of the crash site.

“We’re very, very thankful … that the people stopped to assist as best they could and also provided information, descriptions and dash camera footage,” Sergeant Brett Hobbins told the outlet.

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Swainston was a volunteer firefighter at the NSW Rural Fire Service, per News.com.au. His mother Dawn called him a “caring and loving son” in a tribute on Instagram, per the outlet.

“When travelling home after helping someone James loved, through absolutely no fault of his own, he was involved in a motorbike accident,” she said, noting that on top of being a son he was also a “brother, boyfriend, cousin, nephew, grandchild and friend.”

The woman arrested was refused bail and is due to appear before Penrith Local Court on Wednesday, Oct. 22.