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British Woman Dies After Glass Door Incident in Sydney Flat
A British woman residing in Australia has tragically died after an incident involving a glass door at her Sydney apartment. Claire Austin, 38, sustained a severe arm injury, reportedly severing an artery, after running into the internal glass door at her Randwick flat following an alleged dispute with her boyfriend. Emergency services discovered her bleeding heavily at her residence around 7:30 am on Saturday. This unfortunate event has led to a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Incident Details and Police Investigation
Ms. Austin, a marketing professional originally from Woking, Surrey, had been sharing the apartment with her partner, Lee Loughlin, 44, who is also a UK native. Neighbours reported hearing a domestic argument preceding the incident. Mr. Loughlin reportedly informed police that they had been quarreling before Ms. Austin ran through the glass door.
Neighbour Accounts
According to a neighbour, the altercation commenced at approximately 7 am on Saturday and seemed more intense than usual domestic disputes previously heard. The neighbour stated to Daily Mail Australia, “They both sounded (like) something would happen,” indicating a heightened sense of alarm. “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.”
Subsequently, the neighbour overheard a man repeatedly shouting for help and decided to investigate. This noise prompted a call to emergency services.
Emergency Response and Passing
Paramedics transported Ms. Austin to the hospital where she was placed on life support. Her family, upon learning the grim prognosis, urgently travelled from the UK to Sydney, arriving on Tuesday morning. Sadly, she passed away hours after their arrival.
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Tributes and Community Grief
Friends and former colleagues gathered at her apartment to pay tribute and remember Ms. Austin. Former workmates from The Do Collective, a marketing firm she recently left, described Claire as a “lovely person” with a vibrant personality and a wide circle of friends.
One condolence card left at the scene 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.”
Relationship and Background
Ms. Austin was in a relationship with Mr. Loughlin, a recruitment analyst and company director. The couple had moved into their rented two-bedroom apartment in Randwick in May last year. Neighbours indicated that arguments were frequent, but the one on Saturday morning was notably more severe.
Boyfriend’s Involvement
Mr. Loughlin assisted the police with their inquiries and was briefly admitted to a mental health facility. A New South Wales Police spokesperson stated, “He has since been released without charge and no arrests have been made at this time,” while confirming that the police investigation remains ongoing.
Legal Context and Further Investigation
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell confirmed that Ms. Austin’s death is being treated as a criminal matter. “This is a tragic loss of life and we are determined to work out exactly what happened,” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell told Australia’s Daily Telegraph.
Daily Mail Australia also disclosed that an application for an apprehended violence order on behalf of Ms. Austin was scheduled to be addressed at Waverley Local Court on Thursday. It is important to note that there is no suggestion the individual named in the order is connected to the incident that led to her death.