Sunrise co-host Natalie Barr broke down in tears live on air on Tuesday during an emotional segment on the death of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens’ teenage son.
Clearly thinking of her own children, Nat became visibly emotional as part of a letter written by Stevens about his son Charlie was read out by Sunrise reporter Jade Robran.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nat Barr breaks down in tears on Sunrise.
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Charlie Stevens, 18, suffered an irreversible brain injury after he was allegedly struck by a car on Friday night at Goolwa Beach, south of Adelaide, during Schoolies celebrations.
On Tuesday, his distraught father shared an emotional letter about his son, part of which was read out on air by Sunrise reporter Jade Robran.
“I’m writing this sitting in a bedroom with dirty clothes on the floor, an unmade bed, six drinking glasses lined up on the bedside table, and an empty KFC box next to the glasses. It’s a mess, and it’s perfect,” part of the letter read.
“This is where 101 lived,” Stevens wrote, referring to that fact that his own son was the 101st road death in SA this year.
But he went on to say Charlie was “so much more than a number on a tragic tally”.
As Robran talked about the unfathomable tragedy, Nat began struggling to hold back tears.
Also becoming emotional, co-host Matt Shirvington looked down at a copy of the letter.
“I’ve got to be honest with you, it’s extremely hard to get through without shedding a tear, whether you knew Charlie or you didn’t know him,” Shirvo said.
“The understanding of losing a teenage child, Nat and I are in that position with teenage kids.
“It’s extremely difficult.”
He then looked across at Nat, who was struggling to compose herself.
As Nat broke down in tears, Shirvo read a line from Stevens’ letter about his lost son.
“You lived a life and gave so much to so many,” he read.
“You’re a force of nature, we’ll never forget your beautiful, cheeky, disarming smile.”
Looking up at the camera, Shirvo added: “This is something that is touching so many Australians at the moment.”
Nat then said, “Well said Shirvo,” her voice breaking, adding, “We’ll be back in a moment” before the show cut to a commercial break.
Nat has two adult sons – Lachlan, 22, and Hunter who, at 18, is the same age as the SA Police Commissioner’s son.
Shirvington has three children – Sienna, 17, Winnie, 15, and Lincoln, five.
Only weeks ago, Nat became emotional when talking about her son Hunter’s upcoming graduation ceremony.
During an interview with Miranda Kerr, who is pregnant with her fourth child, Nat offered some advice.
“It’s my last child’s last day of school today, so I know it gets busy, but make the most of it,” Nat said.
“Because then you’ll be crying like I will be next week when they have their assembly.”
For obvious reasons, the death of Charlie Stevens clearly struck a chord.
The teenager was waiting with friends for a bus to go to Schoolies celebrations in Victor Harbor when he was allegedly struck by a car driven by another 18-year-old, Dhirren Randhawa.
Charlie died in hospital 22 hours later.
Randhawa was arrested after allegedly fleeing the scene.
He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving, aggravated driving without due care, leaving the scene of a crash after causing death and failing to truly answer questions.
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