Bangalow hit-and-run: One year on, family of Paul “Campo” Campton still waiting for answers

NEARLY a year on from the hit-and-run that took the life of well-known Bangalow local Paul “Campo” Campton, his family is still waiting for answers, with no closure in sight.

His wife Jannine Campton said police keep in touch to let her know they are still investigating, but she has told them they do not need to provide frequent updates.

“I only need to know when they find the person,” she said.

The 64-year-old father of three was killed outside Bangalow Community Children’s Centre on Raftons Road around 3.30am on Sunday July 6 whilst walking home from celebrating a friend’s 70th birthday.

The driver did not stop and has not been found, despite police releasing CCTV footage of a black SUV – believed to be a 2008–2012 Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series – travelling north on Granuaille Road that was captured outside Bangalow General Store. The vehicle was not captured in any other CCTV footage along the highway, for example.

“While it’s disappointing it’s not the police I’m disappointed in,” Jannine said.

“They have done a lot and they’re still working on it. I think the only person to blame in the whole thing is the person who was driving that car.”

Jannine said it was clear that the driver of the vehicle was not going to come forward voluntarily, but the family still hopes that anyone who was with the driver at the time, or who knows who was driving – particularly if they noticed damage to their car – will contact police.

“We think there’s at least one other person and probably more out there who know,” she said.

“Our appeal is if this happened to someone you loved how would you feel? If you’re protecting a friend, you would have to question what sort of friends you have who can drive off and leave someone dying on the road. The girls have nightmares about what their dad went through in those last moments.

“I’ve told them that we may have to accept that we will never know and nobody will ever be held to account, and that’s life. You only have to watch the news at night to see what kind of people are out there.”

Jannine said that although Campo was known to enjoy a beer, he did the responsible thing by walking home instead of driving and needed to cross Raftons Road to get there.

After the incident, more than 600 people signed a petition calling for traffic calming, improved lighting and stronger pedestrian protections in the area.

Byron Shire Council subsequently completed a safety review and investigation and introduced interim measures. Longer-term upgrades – including new footpaths, pedestrian crossings and more substantial traffic-calming works – are planned to be delivered in stages as funding becomes available.

With her daughters living in Sydney, Jannine is planning to travel down to be with them on the anniversary, helping them come together during this important milestone in the grieving process.

“Considering the shock of it all and how horrible it was we’re probably doing as well as can be expected,” she said.

“We’re trying to consciously do some nice things for ourselves, like overseas holidays, and make ourselves see that the world is still beautiful place in spite of some of the people in it.”

NSW Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit nsw.crimestoppers.com.au