Lifeguard in court charged with running over man on Australian beach

A lifeguard accused of running over a Derbyshire man as he sunbathed on a beach in Australia has appeared in court in Queensland.
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Luke Bartlett, 24, made a brief appearance at Southport Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday after being charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Chesterfield-born Dominic Francisco, 26, who attended St Mary’s school before travelling to Australia to work, and his Canadian friend Saba Akbarishandiz, 28, were lying on the sand on the iconic Surfers Paradise beach in Queensland when they were allegedly run over by the Gold Coast Lifeguard Service 4WD vehicle.

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The pair spent several days in hospital suffering from leg and chest injuries after the incident on December 23.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Bartlett’s lawyer Jason Jacobson said his client was “devastated” by the charges.

He said Mr Bartlett was going to the aid of a collapsed swimmer at the time of the incident.

Mr Bartlett’s case has been adjourned until March 27.

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