Findingmorcom,jai 11 2 11 anonymised

15y · Male·Grade 5 basal subarachnoid haemorrhage suffered during an altercation at Mullumbimby High School on 28 August 2009

Jai Morcom, aged 15, died from a Grade 5 basal subarachnoid haemorrhage following an altercation at Mullumbimby High School on 28 August 2009. The fight erupted when a Year 9 student spat on a Year 11 student, escalating from a minor dispute over tables. Jai became peripherally involved to support a friend. During the brief melee lasting under a minute, he suffered a catastrophic brain hemorrhage. Medical evidence could not definitively determine whether the hemorrhage resulted from traumatic head injury or spontaneous rupture of a pre-existing aneurysm. No significant external injuries were found despite the severe neurological outcome. First aid staff responded immediately with CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but the injury was unsurvivable. The coroner found no fault with the school or any student, describing Jai as a victim of 'terrible luck' in an extremely rare event. The coroner recommended school first aid kits include mouth-to-mouth resuscitation masks.