Russell, Andrew John and Harogh, Bianca Joan

Queensland Government

TOOWOOMBA CORONERS COURT FINDINGS OF INQUEST

CITATION: Inquest into the deaths of: Andrew John RUSSELL Bianca Joan HARTOGH TITLE OF COURT: Coroners Court JURISDICTION: Toowoomba

FILE NO’S: COR- 2515/06(7) COR- 2516/06(3) _DELIVERED ON: 21 February 2007 DELIVERED AT: Toowoomba

FINDINGS OF: Mr Greg McIntyre, Coroner

LFIND:

That the names of the deceased are as follows:

1. Andrew John Russell late of 25 Erin Street, Wilsonton

2. Bianca Joan Hartogh late of 25 Erin Street, Wilsonton

Both Mr Russell and Ms Hartogh died as a result of injuries they received in a motor vehicle accident which occurred on the corner of Bridge and Ethel Streets, Wilsonton at approximately 2:00am on the 3" of September 2008.

Mr Russell was the driver of an unregistered, uninsured Mitsubishi sedan bearing false registration plates 379-HKX. Ms Hartogh was a passenger in that vehicle.

Mr Russell was travelling westbound on Bridge Street, Toowoomba at an excessively high speed.

As a result of losing contro! of his vehicle it has slid along the roadway and eventually commenced a yawing action and rotated around and struck a power pole.

The certificate issued from the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory dated 17 October 2006 states that Mr Russell had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.136mg per 100ml of blood.

According to the investigating officer Sgt B.G.B Smith, the accident was caused by high speed, a seriously defective vehicle, street racing and poor judgment which all played a part in the deaths of Mr Russell and Ms Hartogh.

| find then that Mr Russell died on 03 September 2006 at approximately 2:00am on the corner of Bridge Street and Ethel Streets, Wilsonton. Mr Russell was just 19 years of age having been born on 09 January 1987.

The Autopsy Report prepared by Dr Guard in relation to Mr Russell established the clinical cause of death as follows:

Post Mortem Summary

1. A head injury with left-sided scalp bruising a small right-sided subdural haematoma and evidence of neuronal shearing stresses

2. Severe indentation bruising by seatbelt to right side of neck extending to the front of the chest

3. Severe fracture dislocation left wrist

4. Lacerations to back of scalp occipital region and bruising to posterior right scapula region

5. Small laceration to the liver producing minor hemoperitoneum.

Cause of Death

The actual direct trauma to the body is insufficient to account for death. | believe the death is a combination of unconsciousness superimposed on airways obstruction due to severe seatbelt compression of neck with subsequent anoxia.

As to Ms Hartogh, she also died at approximately 2:00am on the 3% of September 2006 on the corner of Bridge and Ethel Streets, Wilsonton. Ms Hartogh was also 19 years of age having been born on 20 September 1986.

The Autopsy Report prepared by Dr Guard in relation to Ms Hartogh established the clinical cause of death as follows:

Post Mortem Summary

1. Head injury with severe neuronal shearing stresses and subarachnoid haemorrhages due to

2. Extensive fracture of base of skull and right temporal region with a depressed fracture of right temporal region

3. Fractured ribs right side of chest with hemothorax

4. Ruptured liver with minor hemoperitoneum right side

5. Soft tissue injury to right triceps region and cuts and bruises to right thigh region.

Cause of Death

Head injury with severe neuronal shearing stresses and subarachnoid haemorrhages due to fracture of base of skull due to trauma.

The certificate issued from the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory dated 10 October 2006 states that Ms Hartogh had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.131mg per 100mi of blood.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

I can make no recommendations in relation to this matter.

The inquest is now closed.

GM Mcintyre Coroner

21 February 2007