Coronial
VICcommunity

Finding into death of Yewen Wang

Deceased

Yuhan Jin and Yewen Wang

Demographics

female

Coroner

Coroner David Ryan

Date of death

2025-10-02

Finding date

2026-03-05

Cause of death

Hypothermia

AI-generated summary

Two young international students died from hypothermia while hiking Mount Bogong in severe weather conditions (temperatures -3.2 to 8.1°C, heavy snow, poor visibility, high winds). Despite possessing appropriate clothing and equipment, they were found without their outer shell jackets or beanies, having likely become disoriented and cognitively impaired by hypothermia. They lacked mountaineering experience and undertook a challenging multi-day hike during forecasted severe conditions. The coroner emphasized that hikers must realistically assess their abilities, prepare thoroughly for severe weather at any season, check forecasts, and turn back when conditions deteriorate. Key lessons: inexperienced hikers should not attempt high-altitude exposed terrain in poor conditions, proper equipment must be worn (not just carried), and weather monitoring is essential in alpine environments.

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

Clinical conditions

hypothermiafrostbite

Contributing factors

  • Severe weather conditions including heavy snow, high winds, hail, poor visibility and temperatures between -3.2 and 8.1 degrees Celsius
  • Lack of mountaineering experience
  • Inadequate assessment of abilities and limitations relative to route difficulty
  • Failure to carry appropriate shelter (tent)
  • Failure to wear available protective clothing at the time of death
  • Likely disorientation and cognitive impairment due to hypothermia
  • Undertaking a challenging multi-day hike in forecast severe conditions

Coroner's recommendations

  1. Visitors planning to hike in the Mount Bogong area should be aware that weather conditions can be severe at any time of the year
  2. Planning and preparation are critical and visitors should make practical and realistic assessments of their abilities, capacities and limitations
  3. Hikers should check weather forecasts before leaving
  4. Hikers should carry suitable clothing including waterproof layers
  5. Hikers should be aware of their limitations and that the natural environment is unpredictable
  6. Hikers should turn back if conditions are poor or deteriorating
Full text
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