Finding into death of Darren Russell Collyer
Deceased
Darren Russell Collyer
Demographics
48y, male
Date of death
2023-12-18
Finding date
2026-06-15
Cause of death
Complications of an intra-cranial haemorrhage
AI-generated summary
Darren Collyer, a 48-year-old man with Sotos syndrome, intellectual disability, epilepsy and anxiety, lived in specialist disability accommodation (SDA) in Melton. On 14 December 2023, a new unfamiliar staff member triggered Darren's agitation and self-injurious behavior, involving head-hitting. Despite attempts to calm him verbally, his protective helmet could not be applied due to his distress. He appeared to settle but around 6:45pm became unwell with loss of consciousness and signs of aspiration. Paramedics intubated him and transported him to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where CT imaging revealed a large acute left frontal lobe intraparenchymal hemorrhage with intraventricular extension and hydrocephalus. An external ventricular drain was inserted and he was admitted to ICU. After clinical deterioration on 17 December, end-of-life care was commenced. He died on 18 December 2023. The coroner found no concerns with care at the SDA or medical management at the hospital, noting staff responded appropriately.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- Self-injurious behavior (head trauma) triggered by meeting unfamiliar staff member
- Unable to apply protective soft helmet due to aggressive behavior during agitation
- Left frontal lobe intraparenchymal hemorrhage with intraventricular extension and hydrocephalus
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Sotos syndrome and intellectual disability
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