ID :
69081
Sat, 07/04/2009 - 20:20
Auther :

Shooting victim truckie farewelled

Canberra grandfather Bob Knight, the innocent victim of a recent shoot-out in
Sydney, has been remembered for his sense of humour, love of dogs and as "Bob the
truckie", a regular on talkback radio.
Hundreds of mourners packed into a Canberra church on Saturday to farewell Mr Knight
who died when a stray bullet hit him in the head while he was driving past a KFC
restaurant in Sydney's southwest.
The bullet was fired during a shoot-out involving up to six people in the car park
of the Milperra fast food outlet on the evening of June 25.
Sydney commercial radio station 2UE host Murray Wilton developed an on-air
friendship with Bob who called in every week for more than 10 years.
Mr Wilton, who spoke at the funeral service, said "Bob the truckie" had a strong
following because he was a down-to-earth quintessential Aussie.
"Listeners liked to hear what he had to say and they wanted to comment on it," he
told reporters outside the church.
"You couldn't shut him up, he loved to talk ... and you didn't want to get rid of
him so there was that odd occasion where we did drop the news, and we probably
shouldn't have, to continue to talk to him."
Mr Knight, 66, was also remembered for his love of trucks, which he drove
professionally for more than 25 years.
Long-term friend Mick Richardson calculated he would have clocked up at least six
million kilometres, or seven trips to the moon.
"He excelled in his job and was greatly respected," he said during the service.
Grandson Josh Knight, 20, spoke about the times they spent bonding over video games
and cards.
"Together we could complete any level or any stage (of the video game)," he said
during the service.
"I once had to leave school to help him complete a level before he went to work."
He also noted how his "pa" swapped his Canberra to Brisbane route to Canberra to
Sydney to spend more time with family at home.
Police are continuing to investigate the shooting that left two men, aged 25 and 26,
hospitalised with gunshot wounds.
They have also charged a 26-year-old Georges Hall man, the brother of one of the
wounded men, with numerous traffic offences related to the incident including
driving with a suspended licence, dangerous and negligent driving, and failing to
stop.




X