Inquest into the death of Shaun CRIGHTON-CROMB
Deceased
Shaun Crighton-Cromb
Demographics
19y, male
Date of death
2017-09-04
Finding date
2019-04-15
Cause of death
Multiple injuries, smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide toxicity
AI-generated summary
19-year-old Shaun Crighton-Cromb lost control of a stolen utility vehicle while being followed by police on East Street, Albury. The vehicle collided with a tree and caught fire. Key clinical lessons: The deceased had a pre-existing serious heart condition managed with annual check-ups. The coroner found no evidence the police follow constituted a 'pursuit' under policy as no emergency warning devices were activated. The police officers exercised reasonable care given speed and distance considerations. The tragic outcome resulted from multiple factors: high speed on damp roads, the vehicle's light handling characteristics, the deceased's lack of driving experience and valid licence, unfamiliarity with the vehicle, likely distraction from phone conversation, and psychological fear state from believing he was being pursued. Post-collision, police acted appropriately attempting rescue within severe constraints as the vehicle rapidly became engulfed in flames. The inquest found no basis to criticise police conduct or identify preventability measures that would have altered the outcome.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Vehicle being driven in excess of speed limit
- Damp road conditions
- Steep incline at point of loss of control
- Deceased's lack of driver experience and valid licence
- Unfamiliarity with vehicle handling characteristics
- Vehicle's light weight and light truck tyres prone to loss of traction
- Possible distraction from phone call
- Deceased's state of mind - fear and belief of pursuit
- Rapid post-collision fire engulfment preventing rescue
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