Brit, 38, dies after running through glass door & slicing artery in arm after ‘argument with boyfriend’ in Australia
A BRIT woman has died after running through a glass door and severely slashing her arm, following an alleged argument with her boyfriend.
Claire Austin, 38, who lived in Sydney, Australia, suffered a severed artery when she hit a sliding glass door inside her flat.
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.
One neighbour said he heard fighting kick off at around 7am on Saturday, and that the noise was “at a different level than usual”.
He told Daily Mail Australia: “They both sounded [like] something would happen.
“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.”
The local then heard a man repeatedly screaming for help, so decided to investigate whilst somebody else called the emergency services.
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.
A woman died from “catastrophic” injuries sustained while allegedly trying to flee a domestic violence attack just days before her application for an AVO was to be heard.
Emergency services were called to the Sydney unit of Claire Austin early on Saturday morning after a concerned call from a neighbour who heard shouting.
The 38-year-old was found inside with a partially severed arm and was bleeding profusely from the “severe” injuries after crashing through a glass sliding door at the Randwick property.
Paramedics rushed her to St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition.
The marketing executive, who was born in Britain but had lived in Australia for the past decade, spent three days on life support.
She died on Tuesday.
It can now be revealed that an application for an apprehended violence order, submitted by police on Ms Austin’s behalf, was due to be heard at Waverley Local Court tomorrow.
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.”
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:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
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.
Claire’s boyfriend, Lee, is a recruitment analyst from the UK who runs his own company, Lead Group in Darling Harbour.
The couple moved 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 told Australia’s Daily Telegraph: “This is a tragic loss of life and we are determined to work out exactly what happened.
“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.”