Father killed by lightning strike protecting his family has crowdfunding campaign
Check out the story links below about the crowdfunding campaign for father of two children, husband and former soldier who dies tragically this past weekend.
STUCK in a park in the middle of one of the most violent storms of the summer, Kane Bennett was determined to keep his family safe.
Mr Bennett, wife Mary Mourgelas and their tiny children Bella, 3, and Max, 22 months, took shelter under a pagola at Worongary on the Gold Coast.
What happened next left the entire family in hospital and robbed them of the man who was determined they would survive.
SCENE: Witnesses hear fatal strike
It is understood Mr Bennett, 39, saved his family by taking the full force of a lightning strike.
He died later in the Gold Coast University Hospital from his injuries.
In the days since his death, family and friends have reflected on the tragedy of the incident, remembering Mr Bennett as a “great, great man”.
“It is an absolute tragedy,” a spokeswoman for the family said.
“He was so proud of his little boy Max and his new baby girl Bella.
“Kane’s final act was to ensure that he took the full force of the lightning storm so that his family was safe.”
Mr Bennett was a devoted military man and a hero to his wife and two young children.
The family’s closeness was clear, with photos of Mr Bennett and his children featured heavily on Ms Mourgelas’ Facebook page.
One picture describes her husband as “Mr Strong” and another heartbreaking photograph shows son Max sleeping peacefully beside his father’s army hat.
The couple celebrated their wedding anniversary just weeks before Mr Bennett’s death.
A full statement from the family was released via Queensland Police:
A spokesperson for the family said that Kane was a loving husband with a heart of gold, who touched many lives in his 39 years.
“Kane was truly devoted to Mary. They had been together for 19 years after meeting in 1996 and had just celebrated their nine-year wedding anniversary. The couple travelled extensively before settling down to have their family. He had a gentle nature that people warmed to instantly.
“Kane thoroughly enjoyed motivating young people and helping to build confidence in those who lacked it. This was shown in his work for the Get Set For Work Programme on the Gold Coast for at risk youth and his work with the Cerebal Palsy League. Kane used that experience to then go on and work with Charlton Brown in Brisbane, training students to gain qualifications in disability support and community service.”
Although Kane had achieved so much in his life, it was his family that he considered to be his greatest accolade.
“When Kane was with Mary and his kids he was at his happiest. His pride and love for his family was clear for all to see.”
Mr Bennett’s family were discharged from Gold Coast University Hospital earlier today (Monday) after sustaining minor injuries during the storm. They wished to express their thanks to the Australian public who had already shown great support for them.
“Mary knows that much of the Gold Coast, especially those who witnessed the accident at Worongary on Saturday, have been expressing their grief and she has been truly touched by their actions. She wants to thank the local community and the media for their respect for the family’s privacy and expressed wishes for this to continue. ”
Mary especially wanted to thank the people who first offered assistance in the park, the paramedics from the three ambulances that transported the family to hospital, the paramedics who worked on Kane and the children, the A&E team at Gold Coast University Hospital that worked tirelessly to try to save Kane, the staff in the ICU and the Gold Coast Police.
Brisbane Times Story: Crowdfunding campaign for family of GC man killed by lightning
The Gold Coast man struck and killed by lightning on Saturday afternoon has been revealed as a former soldier who served in East Timor, a tireless social and charity worker and a devoted husband and father.
Friends of Kane Athol Bennett have now set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise $10,000 to support his wife and two children.
Mr Bennett, his wife Mary Mourgelas, their 22-month-old son Max and 12-week-old daughter Bella were all hit by the lightning bolt during the freak electrical storm on polling day.
They had just voted at the Worongary State School and were taking shelter in a gazebo of a nearby park when the bolt hit just before 4pm.
Mr Bennett took the full force of the blow and despite the best efforts of neighbours and paramedics, was pronounced dead in hospital three hours later.
Ms Mourgelas and the children were released from hospital on Monday after suffering minor injuries.
A spokeswoman for the family said that Kane was a loving husband with a heart of gold, who touched many lives in his 39 years.
"Kane was truly devoted to Mary. They had been together for 19 years after meeting in 1996 and had just celebrated their nine-year wedding anniversary.
"The couple travelled extensively before settling down to have their family. When Kane was with Mary and his kids he was at his happiest. His pride and love for his family was clear for all to see."
Mr Bennett served with the Australian Defence Force from 1994 to 2004, including tours with the peace-keeping mission to East Timor INTERFET and UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor).
The spokeswoman said Mr Bennett had a gentle nature that people warmed to immediately, which was of immeasurable value in his later career as a social worker and educator.
"Kane thoroughly enjoyed motivating young people and helping to build confidence in those who lacked it," she said.
"This was shown in his work for the Get Set For Work Programme on the Gold Coast for at-risk youth and his work with the Cerebal Palsy League.
"Kane used that experience to then go on and work with Charlton Brown in Brisbane, training students to gain qualifications in disability support and community service."
The spokeswoman said Ms Mourgelas wanted to thank the neighbours who rushed out to perform first aid on Mr Bennett, as well as the medical staff who worked hard to try to save him.
She also expressed gratitude for the support the family had received from the Australian public, including the flowers and wreaths that have been laid at the site of the accident.
"Mary knows that much of the Gold Coast, especially those who witnessed the accident at Worongary on Saturday, have been expressing their grief and she has been truly touched by their actions," the spokesperson said.
7 News Story: Family remember Qld lightning victim
A former soldier killed by a lightning strike on the Gold Coast has been remembered as a gentle-natured, devoted father.
Kane Athol Bennett, 39, was sheltering from a storm with his two children and wife Mary Mourgelas at Worongary on Saturday afternoon when the park shed they were under was struck.
Mr Bennett, who served in East Timor for the Australian Defence Force, died while his wife and children were taken to hospital.
Family have paid tribute to Mr Bennett, who worked with at-risk youth, the disability sector and held an extraordinary love for his family.
"When Kane was with Mary and his kids he was at his happiest," a family spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.
"His pride and love for his family was clear for all to see."
Ms Mourgelas, 36, Max, 22-months, and Bella, 12-weeks, were released from Gold Coast University Hospital on Monday.
"Mary knows that much of the Gold Coast, especially those who witnessed the accident at Worongary on Saturday, have been expressing their grief and she has been truly touched by their actions," the family spokesperson said.
Ms Mourgelas and Mr Bennett had been together for 19 years and had recently celebrated their nine-year wedding anniversary.
It was reported the father took a direct hit from the lightning strike, with electricity then travelling into his wife and children.
The nearby Worongary State School was used as a polling booth for the state election on Saturday.
Friends of the Bennett family have set up an online fundraiser at mycause.com.au to support the surviving members.
9 News Story: Online drive raises $20,000 for family
Friends of the Bennett family have set up an online fundraising campaign to offer ongoing support to Mary and the two children. Donations can be made at mycause.