A BELGIAN tourist is in a critical condition after falling seven metres down a set of stairs at a Fremantle hostel.
The 26-year-old man suffered serious injuries after falling down the stairs at the High St hostel just before 6am this morning.
He was taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident but believe it was an accidental fall.
A CAR rollover in Two Rocks has left a woman and two children injured.
The accident happened around 1.30pm, leaving the woman with suspected spinal injuries.
Ambulances took the mother and her children to Joondalup Health Campus.
The children have minor injuries.
Derryn Hinch is shocked that few organ donor families receive thank you letters from the donor recipient. Picture: Supplied Source: PerthNow
DERRYN Hinch says he is shocked that most people will say thank you for a bottle of wine this Christmas - but fail to express the same level of gratitude to the families of organ donors who have saved their lives.
Speaking at the opening of the Donor Awareness Fountain in Geraldton today, the outspoken broadcaster said just 10 per cent of the state's donor families received a letter of thanks from transplant recipients.
``That's why I'm amazed when people won't, that donors don't get letters back from recipients saying: `Thank you,'' Mr Hinch told the crowd.
``Come Christmas later this month, you get a bottle of wine, you say: `Thank you'. I can't believe that people who get the gift of life are that ignorant or that rude.
``Some, I'll admit on their behalf, when I talk to them, (they say) they're scared - they don't know what to say. One man said: `I've tried writing four times, I just cry', and he can't do it.''
Mr McDowell said the fountain aimed to promote discussion about organ and tissue donation, offer a place of reflection for families, and honour those who have donated.
Mr Hinch said he travelled to Pittsburg after his life-saving liver transplant last year to personally thank Thomas Starzl, who performed the first human liver transplant fifty years ago.
``He said: `Derryn, it was an honour to meet you','' Mr Hinch recalled. ``And to see in you, in person, the international ripples of my crazy dream that I thought of 50 years ago.''
He said ``that man's dream is now with'' the McDowell family.
Mr Hinch urged West Australians to discuss organ and tissue donation with their families.
``The sad thing is even if you're on the donor list, more than 50 per cent of families will go against your wish,'' he said.
``I believe in the opt-out system, not the opt-in system... if the question was not: `Will you donate your organs?', but: `Will you accept one?', the answer would be about 95 per cent yes.''
Mr McDowell thanked the Combined Universities Centre for Rural Health, the WA Country Builders, the City of Greater Geraldton and Alysha's friend, Emma Fane, who donated their time and support to help raise money and make the fountain a reality.
Visit www.donatelife.gov.au for more information.
A PEDESTRIAN has died after being hit by a bus in Cockburn Central.
The accident occurred around 2.15pm near the North Lake Rd and Beeliar Drive intersection.
The man was taken by ambulance to Royal Perth Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Major Crash officers are investigating the incident.
NO PARKING: The new 60,000-seat stadium will have just 1000 car parking bays, with fans expected to use public transport. Source: PerthNow
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Fans heading to the news Burswood Football stadium need to leave the car at home, with just 1000 bays available. Source: PerthNow
Master plan of the new Perth Stadium to be located at Burswood. Source: PerthNow
SPACES for just 1000 cars will be made available at Perth's new $1 billion stadium, as the state government revealed their vision for how Western Australia's football fans will travel to Australia's newest megastructure.
The transport plan for the replacement for Subiaco Oval on the Burswood Peninsula will feature a new $55 million footbridge sweeping across the iconic Swan River, and a purpose-built $150 million rail link to the new 60,000 seater stadium, which is due to start construction next year and be completed by 2018.
And with Perth's transport bosses insistent that over 80 per cent of a capacity crowd will arrive by foot or by public transport, Premier Colin Barnett insisted he would change Perth's "car culture'' by making it almost impossible to park at the new ground.
"This will be a cultural change for Perth,'' Mr Barnett said.
"This stadium is going to be superb, and will have the best facilities compared to any other stadium in Australia. People are going to come to games early and stay after the games.
"Transport to major stadiums throughout the world is by public transport, so Perth is going to have to make that change and I think people will endorse that.''
Only stadium workers and VIPs are expected to be given access to the stadium's car park.
But the enormity of persuading Perth's football crowds to take the train, bus or walk was laid out in the recent State of the Cities report, which highlighted that almost 80 per cent of people travel to work by car and only 12 per cent by public transport.
Only 2.6 per cent of people in Perth walk to work - the lowest of any capital city in the country.
Mr Barnett and transport bosses also admitted they would be urging the AFL not to schedule more Friday night games at the new stadium - regardless of the success of the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers - because of the logistical problems it could present.
"A game starting here (on Friday) is going to clash with normal commuter traffic,'' he said.
The transport plan for the new stadium has been costed at $298 million, with the aim of 50,000 people to be transported from the stadium precinct by public transport networks within an hour of a final siren.
Perth's Public Transport Authority expects 35,500 people to depart by train, with 28,000 to use a new, six-platform stadium station and 7500 to walk across the existing Windan Bridge to an upgraded East Perth Station.
A further 14,300 people are expected to travel by bus - 8100 from a new stadium bus facility and 6200 from a new shuttle service next to Gloucester Park.
This will be accessible from the new pedestrian bridge linking the stadium precinct to East Perth.
Murder suspect Donald Morey claims Sarah McMahon (pictured) is living in Canada. She was last seen in November 2000. Source: PerthNow
THE West Australian coroner has been urged to find that a man serving 13 years in jail for the attempted murder of a Perth prostitute is the most likely person to have killed Sarah McMahon, who disappeared in 2000.
Ms McMahon was 20 when she went missing in November 2000.
Three police investigations into her disappearance have failed to uncover her whereabouts.
An inquest into the matter wound up late on Friday, with Coroner Alastair Hope saying there was no reason to suggest Ms McMahon died of natural causes, suicide or a drug overdose.
The evidence that she had died of homicide appeared overwhelming, Mr Hope said.
He also said evidence pointed to one of her acquaintances, Donald Morey, 57, who was the last person to have spoken with her, as the prime suspect.
Her car and mobile phone had been abandoned in Midland, where evidence showed she and Morey were around the time she disappeared.
Mr Hope also described as ``sinister'' evidence presented by several witnesses about a bag owned by Morey, containing ropes, knives, gaffer tape and extreme pornography.
Several witnesses also suggested Morey was attracted to Ms McMahon and that she did not return his feelings.
There was also evidence of their relationship changing, with Ms McMahon possibly having broken ``a code of silence'' about drug dealing two days before she went missing.
Morey testified at the inquest on Friday, saying Ms McMahon was alive and living overseas.
Philip Urquhart, counsel assisting the coroner, said the claim that Ms McMahon disappeared voluntarily was "patent nonsense'' as she seemingly had a strong relationship with her family and friends.
Morey had contradicted his claim that she didn't want to be found, by appearing in two TV interviews in 2001 appealing to the public to help locate her.
Mr Urquhart also said the credibility of several witnesses this week was lacking.
In particular, key witness Natasha Tracy-Ann Kendrick recanted a November 2011 statement to police in which she said she had seen Ms McMahon's naked body on Morey's bed, with rope looped around her neck and congealed blood on her face at a Marangaroo house he shared with trucking colleague Gareth Allen and his wife Marta Margaret Allen.
She said in the statement she and Ms Allen helped clean up the grisly aftermath on Mr Allen's request, and saw the body being removed from the house, wrapped in Morey's quilt and placed in Mr Allen's ute.
But on Thursday, Ms Kendrick denied any knowledge or involvement in the matter, saying she was "messed up'' on drugs and alcohol when she made the statement.
"In my submission, she's a thoroughly discreditable witness,'' Mr Urquhart said.
Ms Kendrick's assertion that she didn't say what was contained in the statement was "an obvious lie'', he said, given she had repeated major aspects of it in a conversation with her brother six hours after the police interview.
"It's a somewhat complicated web that they've weaved between them all,'' Mr Hope said.
Whether the coroner will refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions and make adverse findings against the witnesses will be revealed when Mr Hope hands down his findings on January 17.
'UNUSUAL MOVE': Premier Colin Barnett announced the termination of all business in the WA Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council for the year. Source: News Limited
WA parliament has been prorogued, bringing an end to parliamentary business almost three months ahead of the state election.
Premier Colin Barnett announced today that Governor Malcolm McCusker had made the proclamation on the advice of Executive Council, terminating all business in the WA Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council for the year.
It means bills not passed by both houses must be reintroduced in the next session.
Mr Barnett said the State Government would probably go into caretaker mode in early February.
The WA election is scheduled for March 9.
Political commentator Peter Kennedy said the move was unusual.
"It's very early to do that. That is very unusual," he told AAP.
"Normally ... the election has been called four or five weeks out, and then parliament is prorogued.
While standing committees appointed by either house still exist, they may not meet and do business. Select committees cease to exist.
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said the decision had been made "far too early ... especially while some key contentious public issues still need to be fully investigated".
"Investigations into the Peel Health Campus, the real cost of major infrastructure projects and the true state of Western Australia's finances are all matters that need to be completed and put into the public arena," Mr McGowan said.
"This cynical ploy by the premier will prevent proper scrutiny and demonstrates his priorities are not in the best interests of Western Australians."
enex100 is calling on West Australians to give a click this Christmas and help local charities by placing a bid to raise the sale price of four bespoke Christmas Trees created by Perth-based artists.
Although not all bids may be successful, every click is a free gift to local charities this Christmas
The unique installations created by Cale Mason, Megan Isabella Guise, Zac Collopy and ID BY MONO's Zenifa Bunic and Nadia Paulse will be on display at enex100 until the 25th of December.
Bids can be placed here, with the proceeds from the sale of the trees to support the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, the Cat Haven, Parkerville Children and Youth Care and Silver Chain.
WHAT: enex100 Charity Christmas Tree Auction
WHEN: Now until 20 December
WHERE: Christmas Trees on display at enex100, 100 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Auction taking place online here
An expert examines a man's surf ski after he was attacked by a shark.
Martin Kane (right), with Cicerello's general manager Nick Unmack, has given his shark-bitten surf ski to the Fremantle restaurant. Source: PerthNow
Martin Kane (right), with Cicerello's general manager Nick Unmack, has given his shark-bitten surf ski to the Fremantle restaurant. Source: PerthNow
FIVE months after his surf ski was bitten through by a shark off Mullaloo Beach, Martin Kane has given it to Cicerello's restaurant in Fremantle.
Mr Kane miraculously escaped the 3.5m shark's clutches, thanks to quick-thinking friends in his paddling group who brought him to shore.
From today, his ski hangs from the popular restaurant's ceiling above its diners.
"It's fantastic it's found a home," the 62-year-old said.
"We did have it down at Mullaloo Surf Lifesaving Club but it scared the kids a bit from going into the water".
Originally, Mr Kane thought a dolphin was circling him but knew it was a shark when he saw its dorsal fin.
"When it happened, I didn't experience any panic; it was more shock and resigning myself to the fact my life was over."
Mr Kane says as time goes by, he is gradually getting over the trauma of almost being taken by a shark.
Cicerello's has given Mullaloo Surf Lifesaving Club a $1000 donation as a token of its appreciation.
General manager Nick Unmack said the surf ski tied in with the venue's overall ocean theme, joining another ski attacked by a shark in a similar incident 15 years ago.
"Former St Kilda footballer Brian Sierakowski and his friend Barney Hanrahan escaped from a 5m white pointer, which attacked their double surf-ski off Cottesloe Beach," he said.
"The bite marks on Martin's ski are eerily similar and both attacks occurred about the same time of the morning.
"We have about 40,000 people through our doors each month and about 8000 students a year on school tours, so we like to have interesting features with good stories behind them."
Perth mother Nella Panetta racked up a mobile bill of almost $148,000 while overseas and is threatening to take legal action against Telstra over the ordeal. PICTURE: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
The massive mobile bill of Perth mother Nella Panetta. PICTURE: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
The massive mobile bill of Perth mother Nella Panetta. PICTURE: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow
A MOTHER who racked up a mobile phone bill of almost $148,000 while on an overseas holiday says she is threatening to take legal action against Telstra over the ordeal.
Mystery still surrounds how the massive bill was accrued given Nella Panetta's insistence she manually switched off her global roaming setting on her handset just a few days into her two-month trip to Italy.
Ms Panetta, 33, said she used her phone for the first four days of holidays to check Facebook and Skype her three children before getting a local SIM card.
"When I got home from my holiday and opened up the first phone bill I thought it was a misprint.
"The first one was for about $75,000, and then it just kept getting bigger and bigger.''
Ms Panetta claims the nightmare has dragged on for over a year and she is still being pursued for an account that has now blown out to $161,000.
"I want this to be gone and for them to apologise,'' Ms Panetta, of the Perth suburb Marangaroo, said.
"It has been a nightmare.''
But Telstra insists it agreed to wipe the massive $147,908 global roaming charge late last year.
A Telstra spokesman said: "We contacted the customer some time ago to say that we would waive the $147,908.67 international roaming charge. We continue to investigate how the charge was accumulated.''
The remainder of the $161,000 bill is believed to be unrelated charges built up over several months in Australia.
Ms Panetta claims she is still being hounded by Telstra's accounts department and that they tried to burden her with the global roaming fee.
News Ltd was inundated with stories of overseas "bill shock'' yesterday after revealing the existence of the $148,000 bill.
But such stories could soon become a thing of the past, with Australia's communications regulator cracking down on telcos who don't properly warn their customers of high roaming charges.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority yesterday released for comment a draft international mobile roaming standard that aims to improve consumer understanding of unexpected high charges incurred when using mobile phones and other devices overseas.
The proposed standard would require telecommunications companies to warn consumers they are roaming and provide country specific information on the costs of calls and data use.
The draft standard also proposes that telcos be required to give their customers a low-cost way to decline the use of mobile services while overseas and tools to monitor and manage usage.
ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said the measures are aimed at reducing "bill shock'', where consumers who use a mobile device overseas can face unexpected high charges upon their return.
"These charges can run into hundreds or thousands of dollars for only a limited period of overseas use, as costs accrue not only for calls and texts but, increasingly, high data usage as `ever on' smartphones become more prevalent,'' he said.
Mr Chapman said ACMA is inviting the public and all interested parties to provide feedback on the draft standard, in particular information on any technical impediments and the likely cost to industry.
