Finding into death of Bailey James Blackwell
Deceased
Bailey James Blackwell
Demographics
17y, male
Date of death
2023-09-22
Finding date
2023
Cause of death
head injury in a fall from a height
AI-generated summary
Bailey Blackwell, a 17-year-old Aboriginal man, died from a head injury sustained in a fall from approximately 20 metres at Big Hill near Stawell. While attempting to jump between ledges on an open cliff face, the ground crumbled beneath his grip, causing him to fall and strike his head. He sustained a severe brain injury, extensive intracranial haemorrhage, skull base fractures, and bilateral lung injuries. Despite rapid emergency response and transport to Alfred Hospital, his injuries were deemed non-survivable by neurosurgical and trauma consultants. The death was classified as misadventure. Key clinical lessons include the importance of rapid pre-hospital assessment and MICA intubation, and recognising when injuries are incompatible with survival to allow dignified end-of-life care. Environmental safety measures at the site were inadequate, with insufficient signage and fencing to prevent public access to dangerous areas.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- inadequate fencing at site
- lack of prohibitive signage at cliff edge
- fall from approximately 20 metres
- head strike against cliff face during fall
- severe intracranial haemorrhage
- extensive brain injury
Coroner's recommendations
- Install signage at the fence line at Big Hill site in Stawell at the carpark to prevent pedestrian access to the open cutting area and warn of risk
- Place fencing across the tunnel/cave entrance on Scenic Road to prevent pedestrian access to the open cutting
- Install signage prohibiting access into the tunnel/cave entrance on Scenic Road
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