Coroner's Finding: Scott, Nicholas Aaron
Deceased
Nicholas Aaron Scott
Demographics
26y, male
Date of death
2023-01-03
Finding date
2025-08-29
Cause of death
shotgun wound of the chest
AI-generated summary
Nicholas Aaron Scott, a 26-year-old prisoner with a history of self-harm, escaped from Royal Hobart Hospital on 2 January 2023 while under correctional officer supervision. He had been admitted for ingestion of foreign objects. Two correctional officers failed to follow security protocols: they removed his handcuffs despite explicit instructions he be restrained at all times, permitted an unauthorised phone call, did not maintain proper positioning at the toilet door, and failed to react promptly when he fled. The escape was entirely preventable through adherence to established procedures. Scott subsequently became involved in a violent altercation and was fatally shot by David Coles. The coroner found both officers failed their duty to guard Scott and exercise basic security vigilance, though the escape itself did not directly cause his death.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- failure of correctional officers to maintain security protocols
- removal of handcuffs without authorisation
- inadequate positioning at toilet door
- unauthorised telephone call permitted
- delayed pursuit following escape
- failure to carry escort mobile phone
- lax supervision and vigilance
- escape from custody
- subsequent involvement in violent altercation
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Source and disclaimer
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