Paralympic shooting medallist Ashley Adams has been killed in a motorcycle accident on his farm near Blackall in central Queensland. He was 59.
Queensland Police confirmed Adams, a world champion shooter and five-time Paralympian, was working on his cattle property when he left co-workers to visit another site after 4:45pm Tuesday.
“He hadn’t returned – one of those workers went on to search the property and Mr Adams was located at approximately 6:30pm,” Senior Sergeant Graham Seabrook said.
Adams had competed at five Paralympic Games since 1996, and had won silver in the SH1 Free Rifle Prone event, and bronze in the SH1 Air Rifle standing event in Athens in 2004. He had recently qualified to compete at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.
Australian Paralympic Committee President Glenn Tasker said Australian Paralympic sport had not only lost one of its best athletes, but one of its great characters.
“We are absolutely devastated. Our deepest condolences are with Ashley’s family and friends, as well as the many people within the shooting community who were touched by Ashley’s talent, warmth, wit and humour,” Mr Tasker said.
“As a Paralympic shooter, Ashley was one of our finest ever. In fact, it is hard to imagine an Australian Paralympic shooting team without him, such is the impact he has had on our team and the sport over a long period of time.”
The APC also noted that Ashley Adams was also a passionate farmer, contributing greatly to the Queensland and Australian beef industry.
Adams became a paraplegic in 1982 after a motorcycle accident.
