Inquest into the death of Alfred Firth Thorpe

57y · Male·carcinoma of the right lung

Alfred Firth Thorpe, a 57-year-old man imprisoned for manslaughter, died of carcinoma of the right lung whilst in custody. He had declined radiotherapy for throat cancer in 1999, which may have prevented recurrence. Lung cancer was diagnosed in August 2001 whilst imprisoned in Alice Springs, and he was transferred to Darwin Prison in August 2001. By December 2001, his condition deteriorated to require 24-hour palliative care, and he was transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital on 23 December 2001, where he died six days later. The coroner found the medical care provided both in prison and hospital was appropriate and adequate. No adverse comments were made regarding any healthcare provider. The death was anticipated and from natural causes. The coroner investigated whether the prerogative of mercy application process had been handled appropriately and found it had been expedited properly.