sport news Andrew Symonds' split wife Laura daughter Chloe 10th birthday without dad, ... trends now
Andrew Symonds' daughter will celebrate her birthday without her father for the first time this week - four days after he died in a single-car crash - as it's revealed he'd recently separated from his wife.
The legendary all-rounder was killed at about 10.30pm on Saturday when his ute veered off the road hit an embankment on the outskirts of Townsville, in North Queensland.
On Tuesday, his best mate and former teammate Jimmy Maher choked back tears as he confirmed that Symonds' daughter Chloe is turning 10 on Wednesday.
Daily Mail Australia also understands Symonds and his wife Laura remained close despite being in the middle of a separation and had been living apart in the months before his death. She lived in Sydney with their children, Chloe and Billy, while he remained in Townsville.
Laura flew back to Townsville with the children after they were informed of the tragedy.
'The family are struggling, as you'd expect, but they're also holding up,' Maher said.
Andrew Symonds' daughter Chloe (pictured with her father and brother, Billy) will celebrate her 10th birthday on Wednesday
'It’s difficult for young kids to comprehend such a loss as the magnitude as the loss of your father.
'You have to try and keep them busy and ease their little minds and thoughts when you get the chance.'
Maher said he would 'never come to terms' with Symonds' death, but pledged to 'try and be a father figure' to his two children.
'To help the kids build up that resilience as they get older and help them understand just how much he loved them and how much he would do for them and what he would want for them in their life.
'It's going to be important to help them through that - I know that's what he would want.'
