Family of British man Colin Waters killed in a hit-and-run accident plead to stay in Australia

Widow and son of British man killed in a hit-and-run accident plead to stay in Australia despite deportation threat while refugee who killed him can remain

  • Colin Waters was cycling when Mehdi Sameri slammed into him on July 24
  • The 49-year old who was on his way to work was pronounced dead on the scene 
  • Sameri, 20, initially fled the scene but then handed himself in to police 
  • The refugee was then subsequently jailed for 10 months and won’t be deported
  • The Waters family are facing deportation following the death of Mr Waters  

Colin Waters died after he was struck by a vehicle on his way to work

The family of a British man who was killed by a sleep deprived driver are pleading with the government to allow them to stay in Australia. 

Colin Waters was riding his bike when he was struck by Mehdi Sameri about 6:30am on July 24 near the Melton Highway at Taylors Lakes in Melbourne’s north-west. 

The 49-year-old from Essex, who was in Australia on a temporary work visa, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sameri, 20, initially fled the scene but then handed himself into police where he was subsequently jailed for 10 months. 

Mehdi Sameri was jailed for 10 months for running over Mr Waters on July 24

Mehdi Sameri was jailed for 10 months for running over Mr Waters on July 24

Mr Waters was riding his bike (pictured) to work when he was hit by Sameri who fell asleep behind the wheel

Mr Waters was riding his bike (pictured) to work when he was hit by Sameri who fell asleep behind the wheel

Mr Waters’ wife Paula and his two sons Keiran and Kyle, arrived in Australia two-and-a-half years ago and were sponsored by his employer. 

They relied on Mr Waters as the sole breadwinner but with the shock of his unexpected death, the trio lost their main source of income and are facing deportation to the United Kingdom.

‘Colin was my soulmate, my partner,’ Mrs Waters told 7 News

‘Me and him were like best friends, we did everything together,’ son Keiran said. 

A GoFundMe was launched to assist the family who lost their source of income and are no facing uncertainty.

‘His dream was to begin a new life with his family in Melbourne and he had assimilated in to Australian life with the plan to apply for permanent residency for him and his family to remain here,’ the page read. 

‘…the situation has been further compounded by the fact that they (through no fault of their own) will not hold substantive Visa’s to remain in Australia given that Colin was the holder of a temporary skilled Visa class.

‘Colin was the only income source for the family who will now face considerable cost, uncertainty and upheaval in their lives.’   

'Me and him were like best friends, we did everything together,' son Keiran (right) said (pictured with mum Paula)

‘Me and him were like best friends, we did everything together,’ son Keiran (right) said (pictured with mum Paula)

The family is pleading for the Australian government to intervene as they are unable to apply for permanent residencies because Mr Waters died

The family is pleading for the Australian government to intervene as they are unable to apply for permanent residencies because Mr Waters died

The family is pleading for the Australian government to intervene as they are unable to apply for permanent residencies because Mr Waters died. 

On the other hand, Sameri, a refugee who came to Australia by boat, does not face deportation because his jail sentence is less than 10 years.  

The apprentice plumber was inconsolable when police officers told him the man he hit had died.

‘It just breaks my heart, you know, I am so sorry. I wish I was dead instead of that person that died. I wish I was instead of him, I wish it was me,’ Sameri said during his record of interview.

‘I don’t really know what to say. I’m really sorry. I’m sorry to the family of the guy who lost his life.’

The Waters are hoping for a chance to stay in the country as they adjust to life without their husband and father. 

‘My dream is to stay here, my dad’s dream was to stay here, everyone’s dream was for us to stay here,’ Keiran told 7News.    



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