Plane crashed and exploded on take-off

A PILOT is believed to have died instantly when his replica WWII aircraft crashed on take-off near Helidon.

Terry Kronk, 52, a father of two, was an aviation and military buff who had built the crashed P-51 Mustang from scratch.

"He was a very generous, warm hearted gentleman who loved life, loved his family and obviously had a passion for flying and our Anzac heritage. He will be greatly missed," family friend Mark Freeman said.

Mr Kronk was the co-founder of the annual Emu Gully Land Air Spectacular, Australia's largest recreation of Anzac history.

His wife and daughters, aged 18 and 16, had been informed of the crash.

Police said they would prepare a report on the death to the coroner.

Witnesses told of seeing the plane plunge into trees and explode after apparent engine failure on take-off near Helidon.

"My husband was riding his horse on the arena. He saw it take off,'' a nearby resident told The Courier-Mail.

"It was going off to the right a little bit then the motor just cut out and it started spluttering.

"It sounded like the motor blew up then it just went down into the trees and there was a big explosion.

"We rang triple zero straight away but it was a big explosion so I don't think whoever was flying it would have had any chance.''

The plane was a P51 Mustang replica and had crashed near the Emu Gully airstrip near Helidon, only about 20m to 30m from Whylaway Boarding Kennels.

A man aged in his 30s suffered minor burns to his legs and smoke inhalation trying to assist the pilot.

The crash sparked a large grass fire which was brought under control by 11am.

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Tell the fallen Kokoda was no big deal

Francis Akati Simeni, 90, Len Griffiths, 90 and Dickson Hango, 90 at the Kokoda Memorial to mark the day the Australian flag was raised in 1942. Picture: Stephen Cooper Source: News Limited

VETERANS of the Kokoda campaign have been backed by Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare in their battle against historians who argue their exploits are overstated and that Japan never intended to invade Australia.

"The men who died here were fighting to defend their homes, their families and their country," Mr Clare told a large crowd of veterans, locals and trekkers in Kokoda village yesterday.

The debate about the importance of Kokoda was sparked recently by military historian Professor David Horner, who said the Japanese never intended to invade and the Kokoda veterans just wanted to be elevated to the same status as the Anzacs.

Mr Clare said it was because of the actions of the 12 veterans who joined him at Kokoda and the thousands of Diggers who fought and died in brutal conditions along the Kokoda Track that we will never know the true answer.

He said it was the first time the Japanese army had been beaten and no one knows what would have happened had they actually taken Port Moresby.

"It was the first time Australians were fighting to defend themselves," he said.

Mr Clare received strong applause from the veteran contingent, which included Bede Tongs MM, who won his military medal when he took out en enemy machine gun at Templetons Crossing.

"They didnt invade Australia because they were defeated," Mr Tongs said.

He said he was in Hiroshima in 1953 and a Japanese man who was a Sergeant in the Pacific campaign told him straight out that Japan intended to take Australia.

"Those who don't believe it should stand in the middle of Bomana Cemetery and tell those blokes," Mr Tongs said.

More than 2000 Australians lie in the beautiful Commonwealth War Graves cemetery outside the PNG capital.

Bill Stuart fought with the legendary 39th militia battalion on the Kokoda Track and he bluntly dismisses talk about the Japanese not planning to invade as "bullshit".

Mr Stuart, who also fought with the 2nd/2nd at the battle of Eora Creek, said he and his mates were in New Guinea fighting for Australia.

"I was also fighting for my mother and my sister," he said.

Ken Kell, from Forster in NSW, who fought with the 2/1st Field Regiment, said he had no doubt that invasion was on the minds of the Japanese.

"Their aim was take Port Moresby and from there to invade Australia," Mr Kell said.

"Unfortunately we don't have any of our good commanders like (Major General George Alan) Vasey alive to argue the point with these academics."

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said he had no doubt the threat to Australia from Japan was real.

"Especially in the minds of those who faced the enemy in battle, which is the only view that counts," he said.

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Hawke's mate freed on poisons charge

Former PM Bob Hawke with PM Julia Gillard / Pic: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

A SAUDI businessman and close friend of former prime minister Bob Hawke walked free from a Sydney court yesterday after a judge accepted he had done enough time for drugging a couple at his Mosman home.

Safwat Abdel-Hady, 51, was sentenced to at least five years in prison in 2009 after he was convicted for slipping the sleeping drug Stilnox to the pair, who he had just met at a Kings Cross nightclub. He was also found guilty of indecently assaulting the semiconscious woman while her partner slept in another bedroom during the 2006 incident.

But the verdict was thrown out last year when the Court of Criminal Appeal ruled there had been a "lack of balance" in the trial judge's summing up. Abdel-Hady was released about two years and eight months into his jail term after a retrial was ordered.

Mr Hawke, his one-time co-director in Australian Gulf Mineral Resources, and wife Blanche d'Alpuget made a surprise appearance in support of Abdel-Hady at the appeal last year.

Abdel-Hady appeared in the District Court for re-sentencing yesterday after pleading guilty to an alternate charge - using a poison to endanger the couple's lives or inflict grievous bodily harm. The indecent assault allegation was dropped.

Acting Judge Warwick Andrew said it appeared Abdel-Hady had "rehabilitated himself" and he was free to go.

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Man charged with stabbing murder

A MAN charged with the stabbing murder of another man in Melbourne's north last night was living with the victim's mother, neighbours say.

Horrified onlookers described the scene as "horrific" as paramedics removed the critically injured Cranbourne man, 31, from the Heidelberg West unit about 9pm, before he later died in hospital.

His alleged attacker, 59, was arrested at the Ebony Parade home and faced and out-of-sessions court hearing overnight,  charged with murder.

Clothes and stereo equipment were left dumped outside of the home this morning and broken police tape was strewn next to the home.

Neighbours said the victim's mother had been living with the man in the home for the past few years.

One neighbour, who declined to be named, said the incident was a "nightmare".

"It was so horrific, I don't want to talk about it. It's such a terrible thing," she said.

Several neighbours said they heard screaming coming from the house in recent days.

Neighbour James Lakeland said the death had prompted he and his partner to consider moving out.

"We heard a bit of action on the street and by the time we popped our heads out the guy was cuffed on the street and police and ambulance were everywhere," he said.

Neighbours described the Heidelberg West man as a quiet neighbour who kept to himself.

He has been remanded to front Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Monday.

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Stars flock to the Birdcage

Nicole Kidman and George Calombaris were among the high profile guests in the star-studded Swisse marquee.

Rachael Finch attends Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

CELEBRITIES arrived on track for Derby Day at Flemington, in almost perfect conditions.

The Emirates marquee was busy early, with stars and judges from The X Factor, including Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, arriving just after 10.

Keating arrived with his new girlfriend, television producer Storm Uechtritz.

Kidman a picture of elegance

He has been a regular at the Melbourne Cup Carnival for  the past few years.

''It's great fun,'' he told the Herald Sun.

''I like the effort everyone puts in.

''I love the races, i'm an avid race goer, this is a hell of an event."

Pictures: Derby Day fashion

Other celebrities who were already on track included Ash Hart and her boyfriend Buck Palmer, Packed To The Rafters stars George Houvardas and Erik Thomson, Channel 7's Rachael Finch.

The Birdcage at Flemington is a once in a year event when it comes to corporate hospitality in Australia.

As well as Emirates, Myer, Swisse, Lexus, Champagne Mumm, and Lavazza were all expecting big names on track today.

Erica Packer and Sarah Murdoch at Derby Day. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun

Erica Packer and Sarah Murdoch at Derby Day. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Natalie Bassingthwaighte at Derby Day. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun

Natalie Bassingthwaighte at Derby Day. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Danielle Spencer at Derby Day. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun

Danielle Spencer at Derby Day. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Jennifer Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins at the Myer marquee on Derby Day at Flemington. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Jennifer Hawkins at the Myer marquee. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

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PM launches Defence Families Pin

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has launched the Defence Families Pin in recognition of extra burden carried by families of Defence  personnel. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to families of Australian Defence Force personnel, saying Australia should acknowledge their service to the country, too.

Ms Gillard was launching the Defence Families Pin, which she said was recognition of the extra burden carried by family of servicemen and women.

She was addressing families of ADF members on Saturday on the flight deck of the HMAS Darwin, which is docked in Sydney.

"I'm here as prime minister to say thank you for your service too,'' Ms Gillard said.

"We don't take you for granted. We don't forget that you serve our nation as well and today we are going to embark on recognising that service for you.

"We understand that there is an extra burden on you, and as a nation we want to acknowledge that through awarding you this pin.''

Ms Gillard said the idea of the Defence Families Pin was picked up by Labor MP Deb O'Neill after a suggestion from the parents of an ADF serviceman.

The prime minister said the recent "tense operational tempo'' for Australian forces overseas meant many families had already seen their loved ones go overseas six or seven times.

The families of ADF members "wouldn't be human'' if they weren't worrying about their loved ones every minute of the day, she said.

Meanwhile they had to juggle the daily stresses and strains of family life, and the pin was a way to remind other Australians to show their solidarity with these families.

"In the wearing of this pin we want other Australian community members to say to you we realise that you're a family that is in this particular circumstance, and if there is anything we can do to help to show our solidarity or support as a community, then we are prepared to do it,'' Ms Gillard said.

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Ferguson drops plan to sue Oakeshott

Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy; Minister for Tourism, PM Julia Gillard and Deputy PM Wayne Swan last week Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Australian

FEDERAL Resources Minister Martin Ferguson will drop plans to sue Independent MP Rob Oakeshott for defamation, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says.

Mr Oakeshott says he received a letter from a law firm representing Mr Ferguson threatening legal action unless he apologises for comments made in a Fairfax newspaper criticising the government's mining tax.

But Ms Gillard spoke to Mr Ferguson this morning and he is expected to release a statement later in the day indicating his intention to drop the case.

"Minister Ferguson will not be pursuing such action against Mr Oakeshott and he will be releasing a statement to that effect very shortly,'' Ms Gillard told reporters in Sydney today.

"Minister Ferguson is a very honest man with a great deal of pride in his reputation for honesty and that's appropriate.

"He was therefore offended by comments that he saw in the Sydney Morning Herald, but he does not believe pursuing legal action is the appropriate way forward.''

Ms Gillard said the case would have no bearing on her working relationship with Mr Oakeshott.

"We'll keep working with Mr Oakeshott as we work with members across the parliament to get the job done that the nation needs,'' she said.

No thanks ... Independent MP Rob Oakeshott as rejected an offer to be a minister in a Labor minority government. Picture: Renee Nowytarger Source: The Australian

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Passenger dead after train derails

A train has been derailed in this fatal smash in Dandenong South Picture: Jon Hargest Source: Herald Sun

Train smash and derailment in Dandenong South. Picture: Channel 7 news chopper Source: Supplied

A TRAIN driver and his passengers were buried under rubble after a horror crash with a truck claimed one life in Dandenong South today.

Police said a 43-year-old Cranbourne West man was found dead, buried under 1.5m of rubble in the front carriage.

Eleven of the 13 known passengers on the train have been taken to hospital - many with lacerations and bruising.

Pictures of fatal train crash

A seriously injured 59-year-old woman who was taken to Dandenong Hospital has since been transferred to The Alfred hospital for surgery.

The train driver, who was trapped for a significant time until onlookers plucked him out, is in a serious condition at The Alfred.

People were buried under potatoes, chairs and broken glass and under all sorts of debris

Most of the passengers have been discharged, but a 36-year-old man remains under observation at Dandenong Hospital and a man and a woman are being kept at Frankston Hospital overnight for check ups.

Assistant Commissioner Robert Hill had earlier said police feared more victims could be pulled from the wreckage.

"At this stage I must reinforce that we are yet to completely examine the scene," he said.

"We might have more injured or deceased...the investigation is still in its infancy."

Were you a witness to the train crash? Send your pictures or video to news@heraldsun.com.au

The truck, carrying potatoes and vegetables, was travelling south along Abbotts Rd when it reportedly passed through the level crossing and its trailer collided with the Metro train at 11.42am.

The force of the collision ripped open the first carriage and pushed four of the six carriages off the track with two crashing on to their side and sliding for up to 250m.

The track, overhead wires, signalling system and sleepers were all seriously damaged.

Mr Hill said police were investigating why the truck crossed the intersection with the boom gates down.

The 59-year truck driver was taken to Dandenong Police station and assisted police with their inquiries.

Detective Sergeant Rohan Courtis said the truck driver had been co-operative with police.

The driver was released pending summons, he said.

Witness Mick McGuigan watched the tragedy unfold and said it was "as if a bomb went off" when the train and truck collided.

Mr McGuigan then rushed to help find the injured passengers and pull them to safety.

"People were buried under potatoes, chairs and broken glass and under all sorts of debris,'' he said.

Premier Ted Baillieu, who was at the scene, described the man's death as "a tremendous tragedy".

"Our hearts and our sympathies go out to his family, his friends," he said.

"This is a tragic loss of life but we can say ... it's extremely lucky that no more lives were lost."

Ambulance paramedic Andrew Watson said a number of passengers were able to free themselves and walked to paramedics.

"Considering the impact of this collision today, we are lucky that no other people were seriously injured," he said.

Metro boss Andrew Lezala said the train driver was "severely traumatised" with his cabin "pretty much destroyed" in the crash.

He said cameras and recording devices onboard the train would be studied to help police piece together what happened.

Train services have been suspended between Dandenong and Cranbourne.

Buses will operate until the scene is cleared.

Melbourne Cup commuters face a week of chaos with major train delays and crowding as a result of the tragedy.

Mr Lezala said because the ground either side of the track is boggy, it will take at least five days to fix and reopen the line - possibly longer.

Transport Minister Terry Mulder said it was one of the worst accidents since the 2007 Kerang rail disaster. 

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