The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)
By Janet Fife-Yomans
8th July 2014
BUSINESSMAN Peter Holmes a Court’s African wedding to New York photographer Alissa Everett has been hit by tragedy after their guests were involved in a shocking train accident in Zimbabwe.
Members of the wedding party were among tourists who jumped for their lives from a sightseeing tram at picturesque Victoria Falls after a freight train ploughed into the back of it last week.
His best man, grocery millionaire Jason Gissing, and another man were flown to Johannesburg for specialist medical treatment and another 10 people were injured.
A 43-year-old father of two died of his injuries but it is not known if he was with the wedding group.
The group was reportedly heading for the town of Maun in Botswana for the ceremony late last week. ÂAfrican media has reported the couple postponed the Âwedding.
The Holmes a Court family has close ties to Zimbabwe which was where Peter’s father, Robert Holmes a Court, Australian’s first billionaire businessman, grew up.
Mr Holmes a Court has contacted prominent Zimbabwean lawyer and former politician David Coltart for legal advice following the crash, while friends back in Sydney are waiting for more news.
“We don’t really know much more than what’s been reported. We’re waiting to get more details and to find out how we can help,†one friend said yesterday.
The accident happened about 5pm last Tuesday as the open-sided tram, which had just picked up 32 tourists including four children, was due to leave Victoria Falls station for the 20-minute trip through the rainforest along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border and the sight of big game including Âelephants and buffalo.
Police national spokesman Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said all those involved were foreign tourists from America, Australia and the Netherlands.
“While the tram train was at the Victoria Falls main station (it) was hit from behind by a goods train,†he told African media.
The brother of the dead man, named online as Stephen, has spoken about the family’s anger and grief: “We can never fully forgive those responsible and will go out of our way to warn our friends and loved ones to stay away from such corrupt places as Zimbabwe. There was no warning, no horn blast, and the tram operator cowardly jumped seconds before impact. Any small effort may have made a difference. Our hearts break from the tragic loss of such a great man.â€
The wedding couple had asked guests and friends to donate to Safe Houses in Congo, which award-wining photographer Ms Everett has been supporting for six years after working in the area as a war photographer.
Mr Holmes a Court lives in France after divorcing his first wife, Divonne, who lives in Saanen, Switzerland where their children go to school.
Nobody from his family or their Perth-based company, Heytesbury, could be contacted.