Coroner's Finding: Tommerup, Daniel James

51y · Male·multi-organ failure due to acute kidney injury and haemodynamic shock as a consequence of thermal burns

A 51-year-old man with significant alcohol intoxication sustained thermal burns affecting over 60% of body surface area when he accidentally set fire to himself while homeless. He was transported from Launceston General Hospital to Royal Hobart Hospital but died two days later from multi-organ failure due to acute kidney injury and haemodynamic shock. While a protocol existed for urgent transfer of major burns (>50%) to specialist services, transfer to Melbourne was delayed by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The coroner found the delay was not substantial and unlikely to have changed the outcome. The death was accidental with no suspicious circumstances.