Robbie Awad: Husband of Marina Hanna to fight charges over Hamilton Island buggy crash

Sources close to Robbie Awad, 30 (pictured on Wednesday) told Daily Mail Australia that he is planning to fight the charges holding him responsible for the death of his new wife

A honeymooner husband who was driving a golf buggy when his young bride fell out and died has told friends he will fight police charges that hold him responsible for her death. 

Robbie Awad, also known as Robbie Morgan, was in the middle of a sun-soaked holiday with newlywed Marina Hanna, 29, on June 20 when the electric buggy he was driving on Hamilton Island, Queensland, flipped.

Ms Hanna allegedly fell from the buggy, suffered critical injuries and died on the road, just 10 days after they were married in an elaborate ceremony at St Mary’s & St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox church in Rhodes, in Sydney’s northwest.

Mr Awad presented himself to Queensland Police on Friday and was charged with driving without due care and attention causing death, seatbelt offences and using a mobile phone while driving.

Sources close to Mr Awad’s family told Daily Mail Australia that he is planning to plead not guilty with the offences. 

One source said the situation is an ‘absolute tragedy’ and ‘worse for him than anyone could imagine’. 

Just hours after Daily Mail Australia revealed he’d been charged on Wednesday, Mr Awad was spotted visiting a local hairdresser, after being dropped off by a friend driving a sports car.

Mr Awad – wearing a ‘Savage Gear’ polo with a picture of a tuna on the front – got a haircut and walked home, declining to comment ahead of his date in court at Proserpine Magistrates Court on December 5. 

Tragic honeymoon: Marina Hanna and Robbie Awad are pictured together during their Hamilton Island honeymoon - just days before her death in an alleged buggy crash

Tragic honeymoon: Marina Hanna and Robbie Awad are pictured together during their Hamilton Island honeymoon – just days before her death in an alleged buggy crash

Mr Awad is pictured getting into a friend's sports car on Wednesday afternoon as he processes the charges laid against him

He then walked home in his activewear, including a jacket with a picture of a tuna on the front

Mr Awad is pictured, left, getting into a friend’s sports car on Wednesday afternoon. He then walked home in his activewear, including a jacket with a picture of a tuna on the front (right)

In July, Mr Awad said in an interview that his new wife had ‘never looked so beautiful’ as they boarded a helicopter for a special flight over the holiday island on June 19 – the day before the buggy crash.

Following the tragedy, Mr Awad announced he was launching a non-for-profit organisation in his wife’s name, designed to ‘spread love, joy and kindness to the world’ – just like his wife did.

‘The foundation will hold two major events every year, each year going forward,’ he said.

‘The first will be a charity ball, the second will be a family fun day, as Marina held family close to her heart always.’

The couple had originally planned to get married on in July 2021, but lockdowns and venue capacity limits during the pandemic forced the couple to change the date to June 11, 2022 – also pushing back the date of their honeymoon to Hamilton Island.

The pair were married at St Mary & St Merkorious Coptic Orthodox Church in Rhodes, in Sydney’s north-west, on June 11, which was just 10 days before the tragedy.

Then in early July, hundreds of mourners packed into the same church for Ms Hanna’s funeral.

Robbie Awad and Marina Hanna got married on June 11 and went on their honeymoon to Hamilton Island. He has now been charged over her death in a buggy accident

Robbie Awad and Marina Hanna got married on June 11 and went on their honeymoon to Hamilton Island. He has now been charged over her death in a buggy accident

Mr Awad is pictured holding his bride up on the dance floor on their wedding day, June 11. He said this photo is his favourite of his wife 'by far'

Mr Awad is pictured holding his bride up on the dance floor on their wedding day, June 11. He said this photo is his favourite of his wife ‘by far’

At the funeral, her brother Mark Hanna told the crowd how he would forever miss his ‘kind-hearted sister’.

‘There are no words that come close to the ache that we feel in our hearts today,’ he said, fighting back the tears, ‘It looks like the heavens are weeping as well.

‘Marina was a sweet, young, independent woman who was loved by everyone who knew her.

‘She was beautiful inside and out, loved to laugh, and always had a positive outlook on life.

After the alleged accident, bystanders including an off-duty firefighter, dentist and doctor, tried for 35 minutes to save her life, but the young woman was in cardiac arrest.

A helicopter was originally called from nearby Townsville to take her to hospital, but was stood down when experts realised the severity of her injuries.

Family and friends filled a Sydney church for Ms Hanna's funeral - the same church where she got married

Family and friends filled a Sydney church for Ms Hanna’s funeral – the same church where she got married

Robbie Awad (front left, in a white shirt and glasses) is pictured standing at the gravesite as Ms Hanna's coffin was lowered into the ground

Robbie Awad (front left, in a white shirt and glasses) is pictured standing at the gravesite as Ms Hanna’s coffin was lowered into the ground

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