Non-inquest findings into the death of Mr G

CORONERS COURT OF QUEENSLAND FINDINGS OF INVESTIGATION CITATION: Non-inquest findings into the death of Mr G TITLE OF COURT: Coroners Court

JURISDICTION: CAIRNS DATE: 16 April 2024 FILE NO(s): 2024/1317 FINDINGS OF: Stephanie Williams, Coroner CATCHWORDS: CORONERS - drowning; Crystal Cascades Waterhole; waterfall; safety signage.

Table of Contents

Background

1. Mr G, a Japanese national, died on 10 March 2024 when he drowned at Crystal Cascades Waterhole, Redlynch. His death occurred after he jumped from a waterfall into the waterway.

2. Mr G initially surfaced after jumping but struggled to swim to the bank. He went under the water several times but did not resurface.

3. Emergency services were called and attended. Searches for Mr G continued to 11 March 2024, when he was found submerged under the water. There were no suspicious circumstances.

Circumstances Surrounding Mr G’s Death

4. Mr G accessed the waterfall on 10 March 2024 by descending a set of stairs at a viewing platform and swimming across the waterway to the opposite bank. Once on the bank, Mr G walked to the top of the waterfall.

5. Whilst there were no barriers on the opposite bank to prevent Mr G from accessing the waterfall, there was a warning sign enroute to the platform indicating swimming was prohibited beyond the point of the sign. That prohibition was in English. In addition to the prohibition, the sign contained the international signs for no swimming, no diving and no climbing over barriers.

6. There was a further warning sign at the entry to the stairs which Mr G descended. That sign displayed international warning symbols indicating there were strong currents, submerged rocks, slippery areas, and underwater drop offs.

7. In my view the signage was adequate to inform Mr G of the risks in the waterway and prohibitions on swimming and diving in in the area into which he jumped.

Autopsy

8. An autopsy was ordered and performed. It comprised an external examination, imaging, document review and toxicology studies. The opinion of the forensic pathologist as to the cause of death is based on consideration of the circumstances of death and an autopsy including associated imaging and testing.

9. In the opinion of the forensic pathologist, the cause of Mr G’s death was drowning.

Conclusion

10. After considering the material obtained during the coronial investigation, I consider that I have sufficient information to make the necessary findings in relation to Mr G’s death.

11. I accept the forensic pathologist’s opinion as to the cause of death and find that the cause of Mr G’s death was drowning.

12. I extend my condolences to Mr G’s family and friends for their loss.

Findings into the death of Mr G 1

Findings required by s.45 Identity of the deceased: Mr G How he died: Mr G drowned after jumping from a waterfall at Crystal Cascades. He jumped into the waterway at a location where swimming was prohibited. Mr G accessed that area despite adequate signage warning of the prohibition on swimming and the dangers in the waterway.

Place of death: Crystal Cascades Water Hole

LAMB RANGE QLD 4870 AUSTRALIA Date of death: 11 March 2024 Cause of death: 1(a) DROWNING I close the investigations.

Stephanie Williams Coroner

CORONERS COURT OF QUEENSLAND - NORTHERN REGION Findings into the death of Mr G 2