A wife’s worst nightmare: Australian dies in “strange accident” on holiday in France

The heartbroken family of an Australian man who died in a “freak accident” in France have paid tribute to the “charismatic, passionate” dog trainer and comedian who was “so loved” by many people around the world.

Tony Knight, from Ballarat in Victoria, was travelling through France last month, heading to “his beloved Bouillac” in the south of the country – where he had friends and family – before his life tragically ended on June 7. According to his family, Tony died when a tree branch fell on him and five others at the Rock&Cars music festival in Lavaur. Local police are currently investigating the incident.

Tony, 54, was dedicated to his craft and his “soulmate” Hayley Wright, who he had been with for over 15 years. Hayley’s sister Joanne Allen told Yahoo News Australia her sister was now forced to “live out her own worst nightmare – a life without Tony”.

She described the 54-year-old before his early death as “fit, healthy, happy and in good shape”.

“He was, first and foremost, the love of Hayley’s life,” Joanne told Yahoo News Australia. “They fit together like puzzle pieces because they all loved dogs, and they respected each other and dreamed big.”

“He was charismatic, funny, passionate and very loved by Hayley,” she said.

Tony “helped people all over the world with his dog training courses,” both in person, online, on radio and on television. “He was very respected and admired. His method worked and he loved helping people with their dogs,” Joanne said.

“He was so passionate about teaching people how to treat their dogs. He and his mother studied wolf packs in Yellowstone Park to see how they behaved in their natural environment and how the pack functioned. He wanted to pass that on to people.”

“Comedy was his next big love, he did a lot for free as it’s a difficult medium. He helped other young comedians fine-tune their set. He was always a jokester – now that he’s gone he’d probably make a job out of all this nastiness in the media.”

While authorities investigate the circumstances of Tony’s death, Hayley is preparing to scatter his ashes in his “beloved France,” Joanne said.

“He was simply our Tony and it will take some time before we can come to terms with the future without him.”

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help Hayley and her family pay for Tony’s funeral expenses and medical bills.

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