Deceased
Joelene Therese Dowden
Demographics
37y, female
Coroner
State Coroner Judge John Cain
Date of death
2017-07-12
Finding date
2020-05-01
Cause of death
Hypoxic ischaemic brain injury complicating aspiration of gastric contents
AI-generated summary
Joelene Dowden, 37, died from hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury following aspiration of gastric contents. She presented at Alfred Hospital ED on 9 July 2017 with erratic behaviour, then went to a tram stop where she expressed suicidal intent and collided with a tram. Police arrested her under Mental Health Act and handcuffed her for safety. While paramedics prepared to sedate her on scene, she vomited, became unresponsive, and suffered cardiac arrest. Post-mortem revealed probable alcoholic ketoacidosis with elevated 3-hydroxybutyrate and evidence of chronic alcohol use. She had a documented history of homelessness, substance abuse, and psychiatric illness. Paramedics appropriately withheld sedation due to airway concerns after observing vomiting. The coroner found all emergency service interventions reasonable and appropriate, with no preventable opportunities identified.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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