Inquest into the death of James Leslie STOCKS
Deceased
James Leslie Stocks
Demographics
46y, male
Date of death
2013-03-07
Finding date
2016-03-30
Cause of death
chest injuries (multiple rib fractures, flail segment, haemopneumothorax); also had significant scalp injury
AI-generated summary
James Leslie Stocks, a 46-year-old man living on an opal mining field in Lightning Ridge NSW, died from chest injuries sustained in a fall into a mine shaft on 7 March 2013. He had consumed significant alcohol, cannabis, and benzodiazepines the evening before. The shaft cover (weighing 14.6 kg) was likely removed intentionally shortly before his death, though no eyewitness evidence establishes how he entered the shaft. The coroner found the manner of death unknown—accident, suicide, and foul play could not be conclusively ruled out. All witnesses present were substantially intoxicated and gave unreliable, shifting accounts. The inquest examined mine shaft safety practices; the Department of Industry's safety training, guidelines, and compliance programs were found adequate, with no recommendations made.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Procedures
Contributing factors
- shaft cover removed intentionally shortly before death
- high level of alcohol intoxication (0.209 g/100ml)
- presence of benzodiazepines and cannabis
- darkness and uneven terrain at opal mining camp
- unreliable witness accounts due to intoxication
Coroner's recommendations
- No recommendations made. Coroner satisfied that all relevant issues in relation to mine safety have been adequately considered by the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development.
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