Inquest into the Death of William Scott BARTLETT
Deceased
William Scott BARTLETT
Demographics
36y, male
Date of death
2015-09-25
Finding date
2018-03-07
Cause of death
hypoxic brain injury and myocardial ischaemia following cardiac arrest during restraint in a man with likely drug effect
AI-generated summary
A 36-year-old man with methylamphetamine intoxication was restrained by civilians and police following a property damage incident. He experienced cardiac arrest during restraint and died from hypoxic brain injury and myocardial ischaemia. Autopsy revealed severe coronary atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. The coroner found the restraint force was appropriate and reasonable, and did not cause or contribute to death. Death resulted from cardiac arrhythmia triggered by the combination of strenuous exertion, methylamphetamine effect, and severe pre-existing coronary artery disease. The clinical lesson is recognising that excited delirium with drug intoxication and physical exertion can precipitate fatal cardiac events, particularly in those with underlying atherosclerotic disease.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Contributing factors
- methylamphetamine intoxication
- severe coronary atherosclerosis
- cardiac arrhythmia
- strenuous exertion during restraint
- excited delirium
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