Finding into death of Waseem Akram

IN THE CORONERS COURT OFVICTORIA AT MELBOURNE Court Reference: COR 2008 1504

FINDING INTO DEATH WITHOUT INQUEST

Form 38 Rule 60(2) Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008

1, IAN WATKINS, Coroner having investigated the death of WASEEM AKRAM

without holding an inquest: find that the identity of the deceased was WASEEM AKRAM aged 19 years ’ and the death occurred on 24 March 2008 at Phillip Island, Victoria .

from: la. DROWNING

Pursuant to Section 67(2) of the Coroners Act 2008, I make these findings with respect to the following circumstances. ,

1. Mr Waseem Akram was 19 ycars of age at the date of his death. There is no evidence unfortunately of his precise date of birth. Mr Waseem Akram and his friend, Mr Umer Habib both resided at 16 Martin Street in Pascoe Vale, although they were originally from Pakistan.

On 23 March 2008, Mr Akram and Mr Habib, together with four other friends from Paldstan

who were living in Melboume, decided to travel to Phillip Island to visit tourist attractions.

They arrived late in the evening, and slept the night in their cars. Barly the next morning they

ad some breakfast before travelling to an area known as Seal Rocks on the southern coastline

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of Phillip Island. They arrived there between 9.30am and 10.00am. They then decided to

walk down a steep cliff face to stand on an area known as Seagull Rock so that they could

photograph each other. This area is difficult-to access and there were no defined paths for walking. After having negotiated the steep cliff the gentlemen took photographs of each

other, sometimes standing close to edge of the rocks with their backs to the water. This was to

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enable photographs to be taken with waves breaking against the rocks in the background of

the photographs.

2. After a short time a large wave has struck Seagull Rock. The wave has knocked all six males off their feet and caused Mr-Akram and Mr Habib to be washed into the water, Mr Akram and Mr Habib were observed by their friends to struggle in the waves before being swept out

of sight.

3. Emergency services were immediately contacted and Victoria Police commenced a land, sea

and air search using fixed wing aircraft and the police helicopter. Unfortunately only a jacket

belonging to Mr Habib was located approximately 300 metres offshore.

4. In the following weeks various body parts were located on the coastline around Phillip Island.

These were later identified by means of DNA analysis, as belong to both Mr Akram and Mr Habib.

5. Whilst there is no evidence as to the specific cause of death for Mr Akram, in the

circumstances it reasonable to conclude that death was as a result of drowning.

6. Having considered ali of the available evidence [ am satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances and that no further investigation is required. On the basis of the evidence

available to me, I find that the death of Mr Waseem Akram was accidental.

Recommendations: Pursuant to section 72(2) of the Coroners Act 2008, 1 make the following recommendations connected with the death: ;

1. The Investigating Member from Victoria Police has expressed an opinion that as a minimum, appropriate water safety warning signs should be erected at all major beach car parks and at all designated lookout points around the coastline of Phillip Island. I accept his opinion and make that recommendation. In particular, it would seem that there is a need to provide information to international visitors regarding water safety at dangerous point and popular

tourist attractions around the island.

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I direct that a copy of this finding be provided to the following:

The family of Mr Waseem Alaam, Investigating Member, Victoria Police, CEO, Phillip Island Nature Parks,

Interested parties.

Signature:

—_

TAN WATKINS CORONER 20 June 2012 -

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