Finding into death of ANG
Deceased
ANG
Demographics
5y, male
Date of death
2018-12-09
Finding date
2019
Cause of death
Complications of Immersion and Multiple Injuries in the Setting of a Boating Incident
AI-generated summary
A 5-year-old boy died from complications of immersion and multiple injuries sustained in a boating incident on Lake Eildon. While wakeboarding, the child was seated in the bow of the vessel when it decelerated. He leaned forward more than 17 degrees and fell overboard, becoming entangled in the propeller despite wearing a properly fitted PFD. Despite rapid CPR initiation by his father, he could not be revived after approximately 5 minutes of submersion. The incident highlights risks of bow seating positions during vessel deceleration, particularly when children are not in fully seated positions. Key preventive measures include ensuring children maintain proper seated posture in bow riders, practicing man-overboard procedures, reinforcing engine shutdown protocols, and considering installation of safety handrails on high-risk areas of vessels.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Child leaning forward over bow of vessel at 17 degrees or more during vessel deceleration
- Child likely kneeling or standing on seat rather than remaining seated
- Vessel deceleration from 15.2 mph to idle creating forward gravitational forces
- Elevated centre of mass due to kneeling/standing position reducing stability
- Wet conditions reducing friction and increasing slip risk
- Entanglement of PFD in boat propeller
- Prolonged submersion of approximately 5 minutes
Coroner's recommendations
- Maritime Safety Victoria consider advising boat users of the possible consequences of not being in a fully seated position on a vessel, particularly in a bow rider, in any pamphlets or similar that are provided to registered boat users
- Maritime Safety Victoria consider reinforcing boat users to practice man overboard procedures and, in particular, the requirement to stop engines, where appropriate to prevent injury, in any pamphlets or similar that are provided to registered boat users
Full text
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