Fernandez, Adam Anthony
Deceased
Adam Anthony Fernandez
Demographics
33y, male
Date of death
2001-12-04
Finding date
2005-10-06
Cause of death
Aspiration due to alcoholic intoxication; coronary atherosclerosis contributed
AI-generated summary
Adam Anthony Fernandez, aged 33, died from aspiration of food contents while acutely intoxicated (blood alcohol 0.276%) following police attendance at his home on 4 December 2001. After police used capsicum spray to safely disarm him, he was transported to Royal Brisbane Hospital. Despite appropriate sedation for aggressive behaviour, he vomited copiously, aspirating semi-solid food that obstructed his airway. Emergency attempts at intubation and surgical airway management were unsuccessful. The coroner found no clinical failures: police intervention was lawful and appropriate, and medical treatment—including sedation and emergency airway procedures—was correct and expert-reviewed. Aspiration in the context of extreme intoxication was the primary cause; coronary atherosclerosis contributed. No preventable clinical errors were identified. Mental health assessment on 1 December appropriately determined no detention was warranted.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Extreme blood alcohol level (0.276 mg/100ml)
- Copious vomiting while sedated
- Airway obstruction by semi-solid food material
- Pre-existing coronary atherosclerosis narrowing arteries by 50-60%
- Difficulty achieving endotracheal intubation in heavily intoxicated patient
- Aggressive, uncooperative behaviour requiring sedation for medical treatment
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