Heartbroken widow recalls the tragic final moments of her husband’s life after he died in her arms as their children watched following a horrific tourist bus crash
- Widow recalls husband’s last moments following collision on Kangaroo Island
- Father-of-two James Hargraves died in his wife’s arms after crash with bus
- Hong Kong-based family were spending a weekend away when tragedy struck
- Wife Jess has opened up about her heartbreak and will rename son after him
A widow has recalled her husband’s final moments alive in her arms as their family holiday ended in heartbreaking tragedy.
New Zealand father-of-two James Hargraves, 36, died earlier this month after his car was involved in a collision with a bus packed with tourists at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.
His wife of almost five years Jess and two young children Chloe and Eddie were also in the car but escaped uninjured.
The Hong Kong-based couple were holidaying on the island at the time.
The family had been planning to sail their new 76 foot long catamaran from Adelaide and sail back to Hong Kong later this month.
Jess revealed her final words to her ‘darling husband’ in a harrowing Facebook post two days after his death on February 2.
Father-of-two James Hargraves died on February 2, a month shy of his five year wedding anniversary to wife Jess (pictured together)
‘We are in a state of shock, disbelief and absolute devastation,’ the heartfelt post read.
‘I had 20 minutes holding him and telling him how loved he is and that we are ok.’
Ms Hargraves added her children were also grieving and that she would rename her son James (Jimmy) Edward Hargraves ‘in honour of his amazing daddy.’
‘For those who know him well, you will know that James was the most hands on father out there,’ she wrote.
‘Gosh that boy was loved! He died way too young and at the peak of his life.’
Police have not laid any charges in relation to the crash.
Ms Hargraves addressed ‘incorrect media reports’ about the crash, claiming they were hit from behind by the bus while the car were turning right.
Jess (right) paid a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband James at his funeral last week
‘It was not Jimmy’s fault,’ she insisted.
She ended the post urging everyone to give their family a huge hug.
Mr Hargraves’ funeral was held in Adelaide last week at the church where he married his wife almost five years ago.
The 90 minute service was live-streamed for friends and family in New Zealand and Hong Kong.
‘We were enjoying a lovely family weekend away at James’ favourite holiday place,’ Ms Hargraves told mourners.
‘James had told that morning how much he loved me and that he’d had the best two days.’
He was survived by his wife Jess and their kids Chloe and Eddie, who will be renamed James
She also recalled the harrowing moments after the crash of holding her husband, who died in her arms as her devastated children watched on.
‘We were all with him when the accident happened. The terror of those minutes that followed will haunt us forever,’ Ms Hargraves said.
‘However he knew his little family were okay. We were there with him. He knew he was loved so deeply by everyone and he knew it was not his fault.’
‘Everything flooded from me except my love for him and the kids. Nothing else matters.’
The crash occurred on Kangaroo Island (pictured), which was James’ favourite holiday spot
She recalled how she met James at a Kiwi ball in Hong Kong in 2013, where it took him several hours to pluck up the courage to approach her.
Their relationship quickly ‘developed in leaps and bounds’.
‘We both knew from that moment on that our relationship would be forever. We talked about this often. I made him tell me the time actually,’ Ms Hargraves joked.
His mother Susan also paid tribute at the service.
‘It’s so hard to say goodbye to him … He was an absolute blessing and an absolute gift that has been taken from us way way too soon,’ she said.
A memorial service will be held at Mr Hargraves’ former school Kings in Auckland this Sunday.