Coroner's Finding: Constantine, Georgiou

MAGISTRATES COURT of TASMANIA

CORONIAL DIVISION Record of Investigation into Death (Without Inquest) Coroners Act 1995 Coroners Rules 2006 Rule 11 I, Olivia McTaggart, Coroner, having investigated the death of Andrew Constantine Georgiou Find, pursuant to Section 28(1) of the Coroners Act 1995, that a) The identity of the deceased is Andrew Constantine Georgiou, date of birth 10 February 1972.

b) Mr Georgiou was aged 51 years at his death and lived at Austins Ferry with his partner of 30 years. He had tertiary qualifications in photography and film, and he was the proprietor of a copywriting agency. Mr Georgiou was in excellent health and physically fit. He had a love of animals and creating artwork.

At approximately 10.00am on Thursday 22 June 2023, Mr Georgiou’s partner, Mr Raymond Vazquez, suggested that they drive to Richmond for coffee. Mr Vazquez drove them to Richmond in their BMW Mini hatchback (“the Mini”). On the return journey, Mr Georgiou commenced driving home in a westerly direction via Tea Tree Road. He passed several trucks heading in the opposite direction. Mr Vazquez, sitting in the front passenger seat, observed that Mr Georgiou slowed down due to this fact.

Shortly before 11.45am, a Western Star Prime Mover with a fully laden trailer (“the truck”) driven by Scott Walker was travelling east on Tea Tree Road at approximately 85km/h in the 100km/h zone. The road consisted of one lane in each direction. At this time, Mr Walker travelled around a gentle left-hand corner to observe that a Mini vehicle (the vehicle driven by Mr Georgiou) had crossed the solid continuous dividing line and entered the lane in which he was he was travelling.

Mr Walker had insufficient response time to avoid the collision but actively took evasive action by steering to the left as indicated by the tyre marks present at the scene. In this process, the truck (both prime mover and trailer) rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest across the roadway. The Mini was damaged

extensively and Mr Georgiou was trapped inside it. Ambulance paramedics attended quickly, rendering emergency first aid whilst firefighters extricated him from the vehicle. Mr Georgiou was airlifted to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he was assessed as suffering multiple severe leg and pelvic injuries. He underwent immediate and intensive medical treatment, including surgeries, in an effort to save his life.

However, he deteriorated post-operatively and died a week later due to the development of a cerebral fat embolism. Fat embolism occurs after most long bone fractures and their associated orthopaedic internal fixation. Most fat emboli do not cause symptoms of concern. However, in persons with a pre-existing patent ovale foramen (a “hole in the heart”), such as Mr Georgiou, a fat embolism may enter into the carotid and cerebral arterial circulation. This causes neurological deficit due to small vessel obstruction by the fat emoboli.

c) Mr Georgiou’s cause of death was cerebral fat embolism due to surgery for multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a vehicle crash.

d) Mr Georgiou died on 29 June 2023 at Hobart, Tasmania.

In making the above findings, I have had regard to the evidence gained in the investigation into Mr Georgiou’s death. The evidence includes:

• The Police Report of Death for the Coroner;

• Tasmanian Health Service Death Report to Coroner;

• Affidavits confirming identification;

• Opinion of the forensic pathologist regarding cause of death;

• Toxicology report relating to Mr Georgiou;

• Toxicology report relating to Scott Walker;

• Ambulance Tasmania records;

• Tasmanian Health Service records;

• General practitioner records of Stoke Street Medical;

• Affidavit of Raymond Vazquez, partner of Mr Georgiou;

• Affidavit of Scott Walker, driver of the truck;

• Affidavits of eyewitnesses and paramedics at the scene;

• Report of Senior Constable Jimi Morris, crash investigator;

• Affidavits of five attending and investigating police officers, including photographs, body worn camera footage and drone footage;

• Affidavit of Ben Hunt, Transport Inspector;

• Affidavit of Paul Buckley, Safety and Compliance Officer with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator;

• Tasmania Police records relating to the crash; and

• Weather observations from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Comments and Recommendations I am satisfied that a thorough investigation has taken place into the death of Mr Georgiou. I am satisfied upon the evidence that Mr Georgiou unintentionally drove onto the incorrect side of the road and the Mini crashed into a truck travelling lawfully in its correct lane. Mr Georgiou, who was conscious after the crash, told various people at the scene that he must have been distracted at the time. This appears to be the most likely explanation for his lapse. I am satisfied that the truck driver was unable to avoid the crash. I am also satisfied that there were no issues in respect of the condition of either vehicle, the weather or the road that contributed to the crash. Fortunately, Mr Vazquez and Mr Walker did not suffer serious injuries.

No issues arise in this investigation regarding the standard of medical care received by Mr Georgiou at the Royal Hobart Hospital before his death.

I extend my appreciation to investigating officer Senior Constable Jimi Morris for his thorough investigation and report.

The circumstances of Mr Georgiou’s death are not such as to require me to make any recommendations pursuant to Section 28 of the Coroners Act 1995.

I convey my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr Georgiou.

Dated: 10 May 2024 at Hobart, in the State of Tasmania.

Olivia McTaggart Coroner