Coroner's Finding: Tonks, Russell Rodney

Male·pneumonia, following injuries sustained in motor vehicle accident

Russell Rodney Tonks sustained severe head injury in a motor vehicle accident on 31 May 2010, resulting in global cerebral oedema, subdural haematoma, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and multiple fractures. He was admitted to Royal Hobart Hospital ICU for 16 days, then discharged to neurosurgical ward, and subsequently transferred to St John's Hospital for rehabilitation. He remained minimally responsive, non-verbal, and dependent on PEG feeding throughout his stay. In March 2011, he suffered grand mal seizures with fever and was readmitted to RHH ICU. Palliative care was instituted and he died on 10 April 2011 from pneumonia. A medical advisor opined that medical care was appropriate. The death was not reported to the coroner until January 2019, significantly delaying investigation and causing additional family distress.