Tony Knight dies in bizarre accident at Music and Cars festival

A world-traveling dog trainer and comedian will be remembered as a beloved, larger-than-life figure following his tragic, sudden death.

Tony Knight, 54, was at the “Music and Cars” festival in Lavaur, southern France, when a large branch fell on him and six other visitors. He was the only victim.

The Englishman had just finished paying off a house in nearby Bouillac, where he planned to settle down with his Australian partner Hayley Wright, with whom he had been together for 15 years.

Ms Wright’s sister, Joanna Allen, revealed that Mr Knight was not at the festival with his partner and had sent her an inside message shortly before the accident.

Because of the time difference, Ms Wright saw the message as she was about to fall asleep and had no chance to respond.

Mr. Knight was a world-renowned “dog listener” and even helped train the dogs of celebrities such as Molly Meldrum, Sonia Kruger and the Dubai Royal Family.

“He was fit, he was passionate, he was charismatic, funny. He was just a good guy,” Ms Allen told Daily Mail Australia.

Before moving to France, he lived in Australia for several years, where he performed regular stand-up comedy shows throughout Victoria and grew his dog training business online.

Mrs Allen said her heartbroken sister and Mr Knight were like “two peas in a pod” and often travelled around Europe together chasing summer.

Mrs Wright now had to travel to the house they planned to share to arrange his funeral and a wake with his family in the UK.

“I think the hardest part will be her coming home to the farm because he’s been there for four years and has settled in very well,” Ms Allen said.

“Our mother is home on the farm now and says he’s everywhere…wherever you go, Tony is there.”

Ms Allen also recalled the sudden shock of being told that the cheerful Mr Knight had died suddenly, saying: “All hope is shattered at that moment.”

“Mom called me and said, ‘Tony was killed.’ It’s just incomprehensible. What do you mean, killed? How can he be killed?” she said.

“But they say he’s dead and we’ll never see him again. That’s pretty tough.”

Mr. Knight had just started living the life he dreamed of: working with dogs, traveling the world and having a home in a picturesque French town, Ms. Allen said.

“Whenever he had an idea, he never believed that he couldn’t implement it and simply implemented it.”

Mrs Allen fondly remembered Mr Knight being the family’s rascal at Christmas and often fuelling the England-Australia cricket rivalry in the backyard.

Ms. Allen launched a GoFundMe campaign earlier this week to support her sister and has already raised over $4,600.

“(My sister) is organizing a funeral, covering hospital expenses, meeting with police officers, doctors and the mayor, visiting the accident scene and settling Tony’s estate,” the fundraising page says.

“And all this while experiencing overwhelming grief and dismay in a foreign country.

“Tony, we will love and miss you forever. Life will never be the same, but we will hold your beloved Hayley in our arms.”

The mayor of Lavaur, Bernard Carayon, told the media that such a dramatic event had never occurred in our town.

“I have expressed our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time,” he said.

Click here to resize this module