The 63-year-old from Padstow Heights and a 66-year-old female friend from Runaway Bay, were both fatally injured when a stolen Toyota Landcruiser, allegedly driven by a 21-year-old man from Revesby, slammed into their Honda Jazz on Henry Lawson Drive at Peakhurst last Tuesday night.
Ms Gibson’s 58-year-old husband Tony Giorgio and a 62-year-old female friend, also from Runaway Bay, who were both also passengers in the Honda, were taken to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Mr Giorgio is a teacher at Picnic Point High School, where it is believed that the 21-year-old driver who hit their car, was also a former student.
In a statement to the school community, Canterbury Girls Principal Sue Holden said Ms Gibson was a “much loved member of staff and a former head teacher”.
“Senior students who knew Ms Gibson have been informed and counselling services offered,” she said.
“Our sincere condolences go out to her family.”
Ms Gibson also served as treasurer of the Canterbury Tennis Association, and the club’s senior vice president Paul Burgess described her death as “a huge loss”.
“Gayle Gibson was a very happy person who devoted her entire energies to so many causes, including tennis within the local community,” he said.
“She had a radiant smile. Her passion for the game of tennis was always very evident.
“In my opinion, her devotion to her community was second to none.”
Officers from Crash Investigation Unit have charged the 21-year-old Revesby man with a number of offences including two counts of manslaughter, high range PCA, two counts of failing to stop and render assistance after impact causing death, and consuming alcohol while driving.
