7NEWS Spotlight goes inside one of Australia’s toughest maximum-security prisons for an unforgettable meeting between two men.
A father who lost his three children. And the man who killed them.
Samuel Davidson was three times over the legal alcohol limit, drug-affected and out of control when the ute he was driving mounted a footpath and mowed down seven children in the 2020 Oatlands tragedy that shocked the nation.
Abdallah siblings Antony (13), Angelina (12), and Sienna (8), along with their cousin Veronique Sakr (11), were all killed instantly. Three other children were injured.
Davidson was sentenced on appeal to 20 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 15 years.
At the time, many Australians couldn’t comprehend how parents Danny and Leila Abdallah publicly forgave him. But now, in an extraordinary act, Danny Abdallah’s forgiveness reaches even deeper.
Five years on from the tragedy, 7NEWS Spotlight has been granted rare access inside one of the country's harshest prisons to capture the raw and emotional encounter between a grieving father and the man who destroyed his world. It is an extraordinary television interview that challenges everything we think we know about restorative justice, remorse and forgiveness.
For the first time, Australians will also hear from Davidson about that horrific day, including new revelations about the reasons behind his actions and the devastating consequences that followed.
*Connect with 7NEWS Spotlight online*
Visit 🔗https://7news.com.au/spotlight
7NEWS Spotlight Podcast 🎧 http://smarturl.it/7NewsSpotlight
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/7newsSpotlight/
Instagram https://instagram.com/7newsSpotlight/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@7news.spotlight
7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands, including Sunrise, The Morning Show and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. Watch 7NEWS nightly at 6pm and weekdays at 12pm and 4pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.
*MORE videos like this*
▶️https://youtu.be/zHabwicaibc
▶️https://youtu.be/H-_ksb2E0sA
▶️https://youtu.be/JJPaZjY08aQ
📝 Transcript
Transcribing... This may take a few minutes.
Top Comments
@7newsSpotlight
7NEWS Reporter Michael Usher reflects on the process of putting together this unforgettable story in a brand new behind the scenes look - up now on our channel.
2451 likes
@Mikey_2_Times
That dad’s mental strength is something to be admired.
28921 likes
@niallgallagher1990
That dad is the strongest man I have ever seen
14775 likes
@jeffreygrimm2361
his prison cell is 1000 times nicer than my dorms in college.
9853 likes
@lucyshepherd3187
The moment when Samuel apologized again to every single person he affected and said he wants to be like the dad and the dad just put his hand on his leg and said i forgive you brother was so beautiful.
651 likes
@Offbeatandokay
The odds of exactly 4 birds sitting there looking at them during the interview…. That’s just insane gave me goosebumps….
38033 likes
@THERIVALGHOST
Damn the 4 birds thing gave me chills
2049 likes
@petercarson9008
A driver cut me off earlier today and I reacted angrily, beeped my horn and cursed at him... and, here, this man has wholly forgiven someone for the worst thing that could ever happen. He's taught me a valuable lesson.
87336 likes
@maenalam396
Forgiving the one who kills your family is the strongest move ever from man and a father.
2 likes
@JohnnyD1993
I was expecting this to be a cold blooded murder, not a DUI incident.
12344 likes
@jagrcantakeyou
"He's impacted my life the same as my parents, my siblings, my children - he's in the same circle. What do I do with that?"
Damn that is deep.
2401 likes
@magic12121000
The fact I get a ad for Beer right in the middle of the accident part is crazy
26230 likes
@stat1c102
kills 4 children yet lives in the nicest jail out there like wtf is this BS
3134 likes
@binsyfrancis5327
Forgiving someone who destroyed your world isn’t weakness—it’s the purest strength a human can show. This father didn’t just forgive a killer, he refused to let hate claim his soul too. That’s a kind of power most of us can’t even imagine.
45948 likes
@wockxstarr
one can’t even IMAGINE the amount of pain this father felt