Coronial
TASother

Coroner's Finding: Jones, Noel John

Deceased

Noel John Jones

Demographics

40y, male

Date of death

1979-12-31

Finding date

2026-04-22

Cause of death

drowning

AI-generated summary

Noel John Jones died by drowning in Great Oyster Bay on 31 December 1979 following a boating accident. The 12-foot aluminium dinghy capsized in rough seas with only two lifejackets available for three occupants. After spending many hours clinging to the overturned boat, Mr Jones drifted away in darkness while repositioning due to discomfort from sea lice bites. His body was never recovered. The coroner notes that under the 1957 Coroners Act, jurisdiction required a body to be found, so the death was not investigated until 2026 when his granddaughter formally reported the disappearance. No clinical intervention was possible in this maritime incident.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Contributing factors

  • boating accident in rough seas
  • capsizing of 12-foot aluminium dinghy
  • only two lifejackets available for three occupants
  • drifting away from boat in darkness
  • extended immersion in water
Full text

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