Non-inquest findings into the death of Ray Dark
Deceased
Ray Dark
Demographics
85y, male
Date of death
2023-12-17
Finding date
2026-04-17
Cause of death
Unknown
AI-generated summary
Ray Dark, 85, died on 17 December 2023 when his house at Degarra, Queensland was swept away during catastrophic flooding caused by ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper—Australia's wettest tropical cyclone on record. After the Bloomfield River breached its banks, Mr Dark decided to shelter in his house's loft rather than evacuate to higher ground. His last communication was at 10:00pm saying 'we are leaving now'. The coroner found no evidence of staged disappearance or suicide. Police located Mr Dark's boat 350 metres downstream in damaged condition, with the motor still locked in tilted position—evidence he never used it. Based on expert opinion regarding survivability in torrential flood waters, the coroner found it highly likely Mr Dark drowned, though his exact cause of death remains unknown. Pre-existing medical conditions may have been contributory.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Catastrophic flooding from ex-tropical Cyclone Jasper
- Bloomfield River breached its banks
- Torrential rainfall (three to four metres in five days)
- Age (85 years)
- Pre-existing medical conditions: coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiac failure, Type 2 diabetes
- Nighttime occurrence (reduced visibility)
- Speed and strength of floodwaters
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