Shannon Cox charged over crash which killed Jurien Bay CWA best friends in their 80s

Two Jurien Bay women who were killed in a car crash in the Wheatbelt have been remembered as best friends who followed each other everywhere. Jurien Bay Country Women’s Association members Coral Seinor, 83 and Thelma Clausen, 82 died in the horrific collision on Brand Highway in the town of Cooljarloo, about 12km north of Cataby, on Friday. The energetic and inspirational community women were travelling in a Suzuki Ignis when they collided with a Toyota Prado and a Volvo road train towing two trailers near the intersection of Waddi Road about 9am. They suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene. Coral and Thelma are remembered as pillars in the Jurien Bay community who were always side by side sharing their laughter, knowledge, and kindness to all. Former Collingwood football player Shannon John Cox was charged over the double fatal crash. The 38-year-old Spalding man was charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death. Mr Cox and a 12-year-old girl, believed to be his daughter, were in a Toyota Prado travelling south on the highway while the road train and Suzuki were travelling north. Mr Cox was unscathed and the young girl was treated for minor injuries by paramedics. The 31-year-old man driving the Volvo road train was not injured. Mr Cox appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody. He will reappear via video link at Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, June 18. Mr Cox played 25 games for Collingwood between 2005 and 2009, before suddenly retiring ahead of the 2010 season, citing a loss of passion for the game. He then became a gun for hire in country football, most recently playing for Rovers in the Great Northern Football League in 2022. Mr Cox played for Donnybrook, Quairading and the Collie Eagles in 11 years as he moved around the State. The Kojonup-born man made headlines in 2022 after a brawl with another man in the carpark of Geraldton’s Recreation Ground on the day of his club’s preliminary final clash. He was filmed throwing punches during the off-field altercation, which resulted in a two-match suspension that saw him miss Rovers’ grand final. It was among a string of incidents that prompted the WA Football Commission to lead a lengthy review of the GNFL. Mr Cox is also facing several drug-related charges in the Geraldton Magistrates Court, including offering to sell or supply methylamphetamine.