Thursday's news

27 Dec 2012

Survivors talk of their miraculous escape, Thunderbirds creator dies and Wild Oats XI leads the charge. Here’s your news for Thursday.

Burma plane crash

A freak plane crash in Burma has killed two people – one passenger and one person on the ground – after it crashed and burst into flames in Burma’s north-east. Five Australians were among the 70-plus passengers on board. Anna Bartsch from Adelaide tells her story. 

Thunderbirds are go

Gerry Anderson, creator of the cult sci-fi hit Thunderbirds, has died peacefully in his sleep aged 83. Anderson had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease since 2010 and was moved into a care home in October this year. Read more. 

Video message from kidnapped Aussie

Sydney’s Warren Rodwell, kidnapped in the Philippines more than a year ago, has recorded a message saying he has given up hope of a release. In the video, which was recorded on December 16, he also confirms that he was taken by the Abu Sayyaf group. Ninemsn has the full story.

National road toll rises to 18

A man was killed in a single car accident in Western Australia and a Victorian man has been killed following a car and truck smash early this morning, taking the national road toll to 18. Six people have died in NSW, six in Victoria and two on South Australian roads. The Northern Territory and ACT are fatality-free. Read more.

Boxing Day sales go online

The days of crush or be crushed are dying as Boxing Day deals are online before the opening time of the stores. But it hasn’t always been this way. Read the full story on The Age. 

Sydney to Hobart update

Despite hitting a tree overnight, Wild Oats XI has the Sydney-Hobart race record in sight as it entered the Bass Straight early this morning. After a challenging night with sail changes and different conditions, the super-maxi is tipped to reach its sixth line-honour. The Mercury has more.

Were you on Sydney Harbour yesterday to watch the boats depart? Or are you waiting in Hobart for their arrival? Share your stories and pictures with us on our Facebook page.