Shane Warne’s body returns to Australia: Son Jackson drives family home
Shane Warne’s teary-eyed son Jackson steps up as head of the family as he drives his devastated mum and sisters home in cricket legend’s G-Wagon after collecting his body from Melbourne airport
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A tearful Jackson Warne drove his mother and two sisters home from Essendon Airport in Melbourne on Thursday night after his father Shane’s body was flown in from Thailand.
The legendary cricketer, 52, died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last Friday.
His return to Australia was delayed for almost a week so local authorities could complete their investigation, before eventually ruling he died of ‘natural causes’.
Jackson, 23, symbolically stepped up as the head of his family by taking the wheel of his dad’s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as his grieving family members piled into the passenger seats, just moments after they had all gathered on the tarmac for Shane’s emotional homecoming.
The Warnes, including Shane’s ex-wife Simone Callahan and his daughters Brooke, 24, and Summer, 20, were present to witness the leg spinner’s coffin being carried off a private jet at about 8.30pm.
It had been draped in the Australian flag when it left Bangkok airport earlier that day.
A tearful Jackson Warne drove his mother and two sisters home from Essendon Airport in Melbourne on Thursday night after his father Shane’s body was flown in from Thailand
Jackson considered his father his hero, and the two shared not only a striking physical resemblance, but also a passion for poker, sport and fast food.
He said earlier this week nothing will ever fill the void his father left behind.
‘Sitting at the poker table, walking around the golf course, watching the Saints and eating pizza is never going to be the same,’ he said in a tribute.
‘But I know all you ever wanted for me is to be happy, no matter what. You just wanted me to be happy, that’s it.
‘So that’s what I’m going to do, try and be happy. I am going to miss you so much dad and you were truly the best father and mate anyone could’ve asked for.’
Jackson, 23, symbolically stepped up as the head of his family by taking the wheel of his dad’s Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as his grieving family members piled into the passenger seats, just moments after they had all gathered on the tarmac for Shane’s emotional homecoming
Jackson’s mother Simone could be seen in the back of the car, while one of his sisters was in the front passenger seat
During his appearance on Seven reality show SAS Australia in 2020, Jackson spoke of growing up in the shadow of his famous father, and how he wanted to make his dad proud while also being his own man.
After handing in his armband when the Special Forces selection course became too much, Shane told his son he was proud of his efforts.
‘I learnt so much. It’s changed my life,’ Jackson told his father during a Skype call, before the sportsman smiled and told him, ‘That’s awesome.’
The legendary cricketer, 52, died of a suspected heart attack on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui last Friday. His return to Australia was delayed for almost a week so local authorities could complete their investigation, before eventually ruling he died of ‘natural causes’
Jackson considered his father his hero, and the two shared not only a striking physical resemblance, but also a passion for poker, sport and fast food
When Jackson started to cry, Shane reassured him: ‘Oh, mate. You know what, I reckon you’ve done, you’ve pushed yourself so much. You’ve done unreal, mate.’
He added: ‘We love you. We’re so proud of you. You’ve done awesome… Mate, we’re so proud of you. You’ve done unbelievably well.’
Overcome with emotion, Jackson continued to cry as his dad told him to ‘go and smash 20 burgers!’
Jackson, who lived with his father in Melbourne for the past four years, once said living in his dad’s shadow was always something he’d ‘wrestled with’.
However, he was able to find peace with it eventually.
During his appearance on SAS Australia in 2020, Jackson spoke of growing up in the shadow of his famous father, and how he wanted to make his dad proud while also being his own man
Shane said he was incredibly proud of his son’s efforts on SAS Australia, sharing this post on Instagram at the time after he handed in his armband
‘For me, all I had to do to switch that mindset was to realise that I didn’t choose who my dad was, and what he did was bloody awesome,’ he revealed.
The last photo Jackson shared on Instagram of his father was on January 31, when they attended the Australian Open with footballer Steven Baker.
Meanwhile, there are fears Covid may have played a part in Shane’s death, after he contracted the virus twice just months apart.
His family reported he had been having heart troubles in the weeks leading up to his death on March 4, while it has also been noted he suffered from asthma and was also a heavy smoker.
The Warnes, including Shane’s ex-wife Simone Callahan (pictured), were present to witness the leg spinner’s coffin – which had been draped in the Australian flag when it left Bangkok airport earlier that day – being carried off a private jet at about 8.30pm on Thursday
Jackson had earlier been pictured arriving at Essendon Airport wearing a hoodie, black pants and white sneakers
Shane first contracted Covid in August last year while in England coaching the London Spirit and was placed on a ventilator to ensure he didn’t suffer any lingering effects of the virus.
His family, including his three children and their mother Simone, gathered at Melbourne’s Essendon Airport on Thursday night as the body of the sporting icon returned home on a private jet, six days after his sudden death in Thailand.
A private memorial is expected to be held on March 20.
A state funeral will be held on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with as many of Shane’s fans as possible to be allowed to attend.
The SAS Australia star considered his father his hero, and said this week nothing will ever fill the void he left behind. (Jackson and Shane are seen here in an undated photo)
A state funeral will be held on March 30 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with as many of Shane’s fans as possible to be allowed to attend
