Inquest into the death of Stuart Morris
Deceased
Stuart Neville Dougall (also known as Stuart Neville Morris)
Demographics
26y, male
Date of death
2010-03-09
Finding date
2011-09-02
Cause of death
Drowning
AI-generated summary
Stuart Morris, 26-year-old Aboriginal male, drowned in the Daly River while attempting to flee police on 9 March 2010. He was intoxicated (BAC 0.199%) after stealing a vehicle and driving dangerously in Nauiyu Community. When police responded to reports of dangerous driving, Morris and another man entered the flooded river and attempted to swim across despite being discouraged by residents and police. Police responded promptly and appropriately, entering crocodile-infested waters to attempt rescue, but Morris was found unconscious and declared dead after resuscitation attempts. The coroner found no fault with police conduct, no clinical care issues, and no preventable factors. The death resulted from Morris's own decision to enter the river while intoxicated.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Contributing factors
- Intoxication (blood alcohol 0.199%)
- Attempted flight from police
- Flooded river conditions
- Poor swimming ability relative to co-accused
- Strong river current
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