Inquest into the Death of David Stanley William Poole

40y · Male·Complications following fracture of the pelvis

David Stanley William Poole, a 40-year-old crane operator, fell from a mobile crane carrier approximately 1.6 metres to the ground while attempting to correct the positioning of packing timbers on the crane deck on 5 April 2000. He sustained a comminuted fracture of the left acetabulum and iliac crest, requiring transfer to Royal Perth Hospital. While awaiting orthopaedic surgery, he developed deep vein thrombosis, leading to pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest. Despite emergency pulmonary embolectomy, he suffered severe hypoxic brain damage and died on 14 April 2000 after life support was withdrawn. The coroner found the death arose by accident and emphasised that the fatal outcome resulted from a seemingly routine workplace task, highlighting the need for continuous hazard assessment and compliance with existing safety standards in inherently hazardous work environments.