'She could not bear to live without him': Partner's tragic death after Shropshire sportsman killed in Australia crash
The partner of a former Shropshire footballer and talented sportsman killed in a crash in Australia at the weekend took her own life less than 24 hours later, her devastated family has revealed.
After Jason Francis, 29, originally from Bridgnorth, died after being hit by a vehicle in Australia on Saturday evening, his long-term partner Alice Robinson, also from Shropshire, was found dead in the Mount Hawthorn area of Perth on Sunday.
Alice's mother has said she could not bear to live without him.
A number of tributes have been paid to Mr Francis, a well-known sportsman in the county, and Ms Robinson's mother, Dawn, took to Facebook to pay tribute to her daughter.
She said the pair bought light to everyone's life.
She posted: "I am devastated to let everyone know that my beautiful daughter was so distraught she could not bear to live without her beloved Jase and chose to take her own life.
“My husband and I now grieve for the loss of two wonderful people that brought light to everyone’s life. RIP my gorgeous girlie.”
The couple moved to Western Australia around a year ago.
As well as becoming a well-known footballer with Market Drayton Town, Mr Francis was also known for his talent in rugby and cricket.
Cottesloe Rugby Union Football Club, a club which Mr Francis played for in Australia has released a photograph of the couple, and has started a Gofundme page to help the families with any costs involved in bringing their loved ones back to the UK.
It was set up by president Sam Diamond, and has already raised $9,590 of a $10,000 goal.
A statement on the page says: "Our beloved friends Jason Francis and Alice Robinson tragically passed away on Saturday 22nd December. Although they felt like family to us all their true families live in the UK.
"We have set up this Gofundme page to help the Francis and Robinson families with any costs that might be incurred in sending their loved ones home.
"Anything you are able to spare will help and all monies will be held in the Cottesloe Rugby Club account until the campaign closes and at which point the money will be passed onto the families in equal shares."
The crowdfunding page can be found at gofundme.com/26gphe-rip-help-get-jase-and-alice-home
