138 results
43y · Female·cardiac arrhythmia (unascertained), probably fatal cardiac dysrhythmia
A 43-year-old woman collapsed at home and was found in cardiac arrest after 20-25 minutes. Ambulance arrived and recognised ventricular fibrillation but failed to defibrillate for approximately 20 minutes, despite protoc…
50y · Male·Multi-organ failure caused by low flow ischaemia of coeliac artery and superior …
Adrian Van Die, a 50-year-old with severe ischaemic cardiomyopathy, underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. The first IABP ruptured intraoperatively and was replaced. The …
Fire caused by unattended cooking wok on gas stove with ignited cooking oil
A fire occurred at Sydney Building, Canberra City on 17 February 2014 in the kitchen of Japanese restaurant Izakaya Coo 2 G 4 U, caused by an unattended cooking wok on a gas stove that ignited cooking oil. A staff member…
Cause and origin unascertained due to ferocity of explosion and fire
A fire and explosion occurred on 15 September 2011 at Energy Services Environmental's facility in Mitchell, ACT, which processed contaminated electrical oil containing polychlorinated biphenyls. Despite comprehensive inv…
Anne Wachera Muhoro: effects of fire (inhalation of products of combustion and b…
A residential house fire at 6 Peter Coppin Street, Bonner, ACT on 19 February 2018 killed Anne Wachera Muhoro (44), Ezvin Munene Mugera (8), and Furaha Murathime Muhoro (5). The fire had multiple seats of ignition and wa…
Male·Multiple injuries including subarachnoid haemorrhage and left pleural effusion s…
Timothy Smith-Brown died from multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision after a police pursuit on 4 September 2015 in Canberra, ACT. The pursuit lasted approximately 3 minutes and involved speeds exceeding…
52y · Male·Left chest cavity and abdominal cavity haemorrhage due to multiple rib fractures…
A 52-year-old man died from massive internal bleeding (left chest and abdominal cavity haemorrhage) following a motorcycle accident with multiple rib fractures and splenic laceration. He initially appeared to recover wit…
65y · Female·Severe crush injury of chest due to involvement in a motor vehicle accident
Constance Harrison, a 65-year-old primary school teacher, died from severe crush injuries sustained when struck by a school bus at a pedestrian crossing in Canberra. She was lawfully crossing with the pedestrian signal s…
57y · Female·Positional asphyxia caused by the combined effect of consumption of several opia…
57-year-old woman with chronic pain died from positional asphyxia caused by consumption of multiple sedative medications. She was prescribed opioids (Fentanyl, Oxycodone) and Pregabalin, but also obtained Dolased and Pro…
61y · Male·exposure and dehydration, preceded by alcohol withdrawal and chronic alcoholism
A 61-year-old man with chronic alcoholism was admitted to hospital for alcohol withdrawal management. He became confused and paranoid on the ward, received appropriate medication, but left hospital unobserved approximate…
71y · Male·cardiac arrest due to hyperkalemia due to acute on chronic renal failure, with r…
John Bell, a 71-year-old man with history of bowel cancer, ischaemic heart disease, and chronic renal failure, underwent elective ileostomy reversal surgery. He died from cardiac arrest due to hyperkalemia and metabolic …
25y · Male·Aspiration pneumonia secondary to methadone toxicity
Steven Claude Freeman, a 25-year-old Aboriginal man, died of aspiration pneumonia secondary to methadone toxicity on 27 May 2016, while incarcerated at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in the ACT. He was assessed as opioi…
Female·Incised wounds to the neck and chest intentionally inflicted by Marcus Rappell, …
Tara Maree Costigan died on 28 February 2015 from incised wounds to her neck and chest deliberately inflicted by her ex-partner Marcus Rappell at her home in Calwell, ACT. The perpetrator was subsequently convicted and s…
88y · Male·left frontal lobe haemorrhage due to a fall
Mr Edward Davis, an 88-year-old man with epilepsy, stroke, dementia and on anticoagulation therapy, fell onto a Stand-Up Lifter positioned directly in front of him while waiting for a second staff member to operate it. H…
85y · Female·acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure, following injuries suffered in a…
Ms Tremethick, an 85-year-old with congestive heart failure, fell at home and suffered a lacerated forearm. Paramedics attended and initially administered methoxyflurane for pain relief. She developed fulminant pulmonary…
67y · Male·respiratory failure with antecedent causes including chronic emphysematic lung d…
67-year-old male with 40-year smoking history presented with chest symptoms in 2012. CT scan revealed a left upper lobe mass. Core biopsy was incorrectly reported as adenocarcinoma by the pathologist, despite clinical un…
37y · Male·asphyxia due to oxygen deprivation secondary to inhalation of helium
Andrew Nolan Christie, a 37-year-old former soldier with PTSD and back pain, died by suicide using helium inhalation on 16 August 2017. Key clinical lessons: (1) Military veterans with untreated PTSD and relationship bre…
24y · Male·Multiple injuries due to motor vehicle collision with retaining wall
Jacob Kelly, a 24-year-old man, died by suicide when he intentionally drove a vehicle at high speed into a retaining wall at the intersection of Mount Ainslie Drive and Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell. He had a blood alcohol …
47y · Female·Sudden Unexpected Death in Alcohol Misuse (SUDAM)
Lesley Maree Smith, 47, died at home on 9 May 2013 from Sudden Unexpected Death in Alcohol Misuse (SUDAM). She had chronic alcohol misuse (2 bottles nightly) and was prescribed diazepam by her GP, Dr H., starting April 2…
22y · Male·multiple injuries due to motor vehicle accident
A 22-year-old provisional motorcycle licence holder died from multiple injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision on 20 February 2017. He was riding a borrowed Harley Davidson motorcycle (1690 cc engine) and attempt…
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