An Australian actor who was primarily active in the 1980s He appeared in several TV shows and films including a leading role in Scott Hickss Freedom 1982 before a car accident in 1986 left him severely disabled On 1 December 1986 Blake was badly injured in a car accident while driving home after the last day of filming The Lighthorsemen in the South Australian desert An oncoming car appeared in his path and he swerved to avoid it crashing into a car which was parked on the side of the road Blake was not expected to survive the accident His only external injuries were a slight graze on his cheekbone and a cut to his temple but he sustained permanent brain damage in the accident and was left paralysed and unable to speak Blake died on 30 May 2011 aged 52 from complications from pneumonia