14 DAY TRIAL // Tom Cruise died in a car accident in Australia, Global Associated News reported just hours ago. As the story was picking up traction online, going viral, people started to realize that it was fake.
For starters, at the time the “news” broke, Tom Cruise was in Los Angeles at the premiere of his latest movie, “Oblivion,” looking very much alive and, obviously, miles away from Australia.
Secondly, it seems that those who picked up the story as legit because of the reliable-sounding name of Global News Association did not notice the disclaimer at the bottom of the page, which said that each of their stories was “purely for entertainment purposes.”
“Actor Tom Cruise died in a single vehicle crash between Ipswich and Willowbank in Queensland as confirmed by Royal Queensland Police - April 12, 2013,” the e-zine wrote.
“The accident occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT +10). Tom Cruise is believed to have been in the area while on vacation. He was identified by photo ID found at the scene. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to have been a factor in this accident,” it further said, adding that the highway where Cruise died was “one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Australia.”
“FAKE... THIS STORY IS 100% FAKE! this is an entertainment website, and this is a totally fake article based on zero truth and is a complete work of fiction for entertainment purposes!” the disclaimer on the website says.
It continues that the “stories” are created using generic templates by users of the site looking for a giggle.
How those who picked up the story as real could have missed this part is an entirely different matter.
As fans must already know, Tom Cruise has “died” several times already online. About 3 years ago, for instance, within just a few months, he died thrice: in a car accident, falling off a cliff and in a plumbing accident.