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Thursday's Final Word
The Aussie dad-of-two hailed a hero for his fearless takedown of an alleged teenage gunman on a Jetstar flight learnt about heroism in the most tragic of ways.
The world has praised Barry Clark, a farmer and sheep shearer from Moama, in south NSW, for his bravery in the face of danger at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport yesterday.
But Daily Mail Australia can reveal how Mr Clark’s son died a hero in a heartbreaking tragedy three years ago.
Mr Clark farewelled his pro boxer son Mitchell Middleton-Clark in a tearstained euology after he was killed in a truck crash on Kangaroo Island in South Australia in April 2022.
The 27-year-old was driving along Christmas Street near Penneshaw about 8am when he crashed down an embankment and flipped onto rocks.
He had heroically sounded the horn multiple times to warn others in his path after a mechanical failure sent the truck careering out of control.
‘He’ll never be forgotten for it, to the end, for what he done,’ Mr Clark proudly told mourners during the funeral at the family’s Perricoota Station on the banks of the Murray River.
‘He sacrificed his own life to save others, which I commend him on. (He was) always looking out for people more than himself .’
Aussie farmer Barry Clark (pictured) has been hailed a hero for his fearless takedown of an alleged teenage gunman on a Jetstar flight but learnt about heroism in the most tragic of ways
The world has praised Barry Clark (pictured with daughter Jess), a farmer and sheep shearer from Moama, in south NSW, for his bravery at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport on Thursday
Mr Clark gave his eulogy arm-in arm with wife Jodie and daughter Jess at their large property and function centre, and spoke of his son’s final heroic actions.
He said his son’s brave sacrifice gave him hope and strength to get through his grief, and added: ‘I think it’s a credit to him.
‘I loved the way he went about his friendship and how he cared for people, which I consider very important.’
Mitchell retired from professional boxing in 2019 after winning the IBF Pan Pacific Light Heavyweight title, among others, across five years in the sport.
On Thursday, his father displayed all of the characteristics he instilled in his son when he took on the 17-year old alleged hijacker.
The teen was wrestled to the ground by Mr Clark who allegedly disarmed him of a double-barrelled shotgun and knives in front of 160 passengers on the Sydney-bound Jetstar flight, just minutes before takeoff from Avalon Airport outside Melbourne.
On Friday, police charged the teen with 12 offences including endangering the safe operation of an aircraft, unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, bomb hoax and possession of a firearm.
Mr Clark had been flying to Sydney to see Swans backman Jake Lloyd play his 250th AFL game, as a mate of Lloyd’s father Tony.
One passenger hailed Mr Clark for saving the lives of everyone on board the aircraft.
‘A gentleman tried to run onto the plane, he [allegedly] got onto the plane with a loaded shotgun and knives,’ the witness told ABC radio.
‘If it wasn’t for a gentleman by the name of Barry Clark in 1C … it would have been a bloodbath.’
Barry Clark (left) and his son Mitchell (second from right) in happier times. Mitchell was a champion boxer who died a hero in 2022
Mr Clark and his family follow the casket of son Mitchell at his funeral service in 2022
Mr Clark described his son as a ‘hero’ and applauded the values he took to the grave
Proud dad Barry Clark with his young family are pictured together in a throwback snap
Talking to the ABC after the incident, a humble Mr Clark said he didn’t have time to think when he saw the flight attendant was in trouble.
‘I was just put in the box seat I suppose,’ he said.
Mr Clark said he observed the youth become agitated when he was refused entry onto the plane, which sparked him into action.
‘Before we know it, there was a gun – a shotgun appeared, and I was worried about her being shot,’ Mr Clark said.
‘So all I could do was push her out of the way and get the gun out of the way, break that, throw it down the stairs – try to – and put him in a hold and throw him to the ground until the police come.’
A former boxer himself, Mr Clark is known and loved across the region for his down-to-earth Aussie charm and no-nonsense approach.
‘You don’t think. You act,’ he said of his actions.
‘I’ve been taught from a boy to be responsible and look after others. We’re a sporting family so I was quietly confident I could handle him.
‘I didn’t want to see that poor girl shot so you just gotta to what you gotta do.’
Mr Clark (right) is sheep shearer, business owner, former boxer and living legend
A young Barry Clark enjoys a beer with his baby. He has been declared a national treasure by Australians
Mr Clark revealed he spoke to the youth for about ten minutes before police finally took him away.
‘I can’t say too much at the moment because it would probably be wrong,’ he said.
‘He’s a mixed-up man, mate … it’s just one of those unfortunate things that happen in this country.
‘I spoke to him and said to him, “You know, this is Australia. This is not one of these other places in the world. We don’t need this.”
‘He’s a mixed-up young man and they’ll get to the bottom of it I suppose.’
Mr Clark said despite the ordeal, he did not hold the youth responsible for his actions.
‘It’s no-one’s fault. It’s just a young man had an action and that’s the way it is,’ he said.
On Friday, Australians branded Mr Clark a national treasure, with many declaring he ought never pay for a beer again in his life.
‘Barry deserves a bravery medal too,’ others suggested online,
‘I think “Doing a Barry” will now become part of our vernacular!’ another posted.
‘Barry will now be a national hero!! Thank you Barry and all who assisted him!!’
