Devastated family pay tribute to volunteer firefighter James Swainston who was killed in an alleged hit and run
The devastated family of a volunteer firefighter killed in an alleged hit-and-run in Sydney have paid tribute to their caring son.
James Swainston, 31, was riding his motorbike on Richmond Rd in Marsden Park at around 3.30pm on Saturday when he was allegedly hit by a 37-year-old woman from Londonderry in a Ford ute who was driving on a disqualified licence.
Mr Swainston was helped by passing motorists but he died at the scene.
Police claimed the female driver fled the scene before emergency services arrived.
He was found outside Bunnings in Penrith at around 12.30pm on Tuesday and taken to a police station.
He was charged with dangerous driving causing death, failing to stop and assist following a fatal accident and driving for a disqualified period.
Mr Swainston’s mother, Dawn, paid tribute to her son, saying he cared about people and wanted to help people, whether they were family, a partner, a spouse or a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Ms Swainston said on social media: “On his way home after helping a loved one, James was involved in a motorbike accident through absolutely no fault of his own.”
“We loved James very much and are so proud of the caring and loving son, brother, boyfriend, cousin, nephew, grandson and friend he was.”
The Londonderry woman was refused bail and was due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday.
