Deceased
Ray Dark
Demographics
85y, male
Coroner
Pennell
Date of death
2023-12-17
Finding date
2026-04-17
Cause of death
Unknown; highly likely drowning in torrential flood waters, with possible contributory factors being age and pre-existing medical conditions (mild coronary artery disease, hypertension, mild cardiac failure, and Type 2 diabetes)
AI-generated summary
Ray Dark, aged 85, died during catastrophic flooding in Degarra, Queensland following ex-Cyclone Jasper on 17 December 2023. Despite previous flooding experience and neighbors offering evacuation, Mr Dark chose to remain in his raised house. Torrential rainfall (3-4 metres in 5 days) caused the Bloomfield River to breach its banks with violent, fast-flowing floodwaters that completely destroyed his residence. His boat was found 350 metres downstream, unused and damaged, suggesting he could not access or operate it. Expert survivability assessment concluded that given his age (85), night-time conditions, and the intensity of floodwaters, survival would have been impossible. The coroner found drowning highly likely, though the definitive medical cause remains unknown due to his pre-existing cardiac and metabolic conditions. The case highlights risks faced by elderly residents in flood-prone areas and the importance of heeding evacuation advice despite familiarity with flooding.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Clinical conditions
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85y · Male·Unknown; highly likely drowning in catastrophic flood waters during Cyclone Jasp…
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