Melbourne woman dies of caffeine overdose, coroner rules
A Melbourne woman died of a caffeine overdose, alone in her apartment waiting more than seven hours for an ambulance, the coroner has found.
The coroner said the backlog of ambulances ramping at Melbourne hospitals and issues with the triple-0 triage system were factors in the death, and she intended her findings to 'highlight the very real potential human consequences of ambulance ramping in Victoria'.
Biomedical science student Christina Lackmann died in her Caulfield North home in April 2021.
The 32-year-old died after taking caffeine tablets, Coroner Catherine Fitzgerald said in a ruling delivered this month.
'The available evidence does not establish the precise time that Christina ingested the caffeine, or the quantity ingested,' Ms Fitzgerald said.
'In the absence of this information, I am not able to reach a definitive conclusion as to whether her death was preventable with earlier ambulance attendance.'
Eighty per cent of Melbourne's metro ambulances were ramped at hospitals when Ms Lackmann called triple-0, the coroner said.
In her decision, Ms Fitzgerald detailed Ms Lackmann had previously attempted to take her own life with an overdose of caffeine tablets in 2015, but sought medical help.
She had been struggling with depression since her father's death by a sudden heart attack, and she had a history of anorexia nervosa and gastrointestinal issues.
In the months before she died, Ms Lackmann was working on the final semester of her science degree and hoped to continue onto honours.
Just before 8pm on April 21, 2021, Ms Lackmann called triple-0, reporting she felt sick, numb all over, dizzy and she could not get up from the floor. The operator triaged the call as a non-urgent case of dizziness and vertigo.
This classification meant Ms Lackmann's call was suitable to be transferred to a paramedic or nurse, but none of these secondary medical professionals were available to take a call.
The triple-0 operator told Ms Lackmann to keep by the phone, or call triple-0 again if things change.
Ms Lackmann said it may be difficult for paramedics to get into her secure apartment building.
'I can't get up,' she said.
'Please hurry.'
The operator told Ms Lackmann help had been organised. Less than 30 minutes later one of the nurse or paramedic secondary carers called Ms Lackmann, but her phone went unanswered. Text messages and 13 more calls got no response.
Ms Lackmann's mother would later question why the unanswered calls did not trigger a welfare check from another agency.
Ambulance Victoria's internal systems flagged Ms Lackmann's location as an area where there were ambulances available.
Eighty-four minutes after her call to triple-0, Ms Lackmann's case was bumped up to code two to 'to improve the likelihood' an ambulance would be dispatched, the Coroner said.
Immediately after this upgrade, and Advanced Life Support paramedic was assigned to Ms Lackmann's case, but the ambulance was diverted to a higher priority job. A similar diversion happened again about three and a half hours later, at 1.46am.
Just after 2am an ambulance was dispatched. The paramedic arrived at 2.23am, and was hindered from getting inside until a neighbour helped. The paramedics climbed up from a neighbour's balcony and could see Ms Lackmann lying unconscious; her dog was agitated and barking, and paramedics called police for help.
Police arrived, secured the dog, and paramedics got into the apartment 'shortly before 3am, a total of seven hours and 11 minutes since Christina's triple-0 call'. Paramedics saw she had been dead for a prolonged period.
An email to Ms Lackmann showed 90 200mg caffeine tablets had been delivered to her apartment that day, but neither the tablets nor packaging were ever found.
The autopsy found caffeine levels in her blood at very high to potentially fatal levels. A caffeine overdose can lead to seizures and fatal heart arrhythmias.
A toxicologist told the coronial inquest levels of caffeine so high could not be achieved from drinking coffee.
Overdoses are 'largely preventable when treating clinicians know what they are treating,' the Coroner said.
The toxicologist said if Ms Lackmann had been in hospital immediately after calling triple-0 and told doctors what she took, she likely would have survived with treatment.
However, the Coroner could not say when Ms Lackmann took the tablets, so could not rule on the effect of the ambulance delays.
Ambulance Victoria carried out an analysis of the incident after Ms Lackmann's death.
There was an 'excessive and unacceptable' delay in ambulance response times that night, the report found. Also, at the time there was no standard process for Ambulance Victoria call takers to request a welfare check from another agency.
The report made seven recommendations for change; by May 2025, Ambulance Victoria had made all seven changes.
However, the Coroner said had Ms Lackmann known an ambulance was not on its way, she may have been empowered to seek other help.
'I am satisfied that Christina's death was the consequence of the ingestion of caffeine tablets,' the Coroner said.
'However, I am not satisfied to the requisite standard that Christina intended to take her own life, although this remains a distinct possibility.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
23 minutes ago
- ABC News
Tasmanian state election 2025 promise tracker: What the Liberals, Labor, Greens and Nationals are promising
When the party promises become available, we will add them to our tracker. ( ABC News: Luke Bowden ) Tasmanians will head to the polls on Saturday July 19, barely a year after the previous state election. The ABC has asked the Liberals, Labor, the Greens and the Nationals to provide their promises to voters this election. Here's what they have announced so far. Allow pharmacies to open for longer at night and on weekends. Expand the range of conditions and medications that pharmacists can diagnose and prescribe, such as ear infections, reflux, skin conditions, such as shingles and eczema, rhinitis, and wound care. Allow pharmacies to open for longer at night and on weekends. Expand the range of conditions and medications that pharmacists can diagnose and prescribe, such as ear infections, reflux, skin conditions, such as shingles and eczema, rhinitis, and wound care. Invest in specialist women's health clinic, The Bubble, to expand health services in the state's north. Invest in specialist women's health clinic, The Bubble, to expand health services in the state's north. Upgrade hydrotherapy pools at the North West Support School (NWSS) campuses in Devonport and Burnie, which will be accessible to the public. Upgrade hydrotherapy pools at the North West Support School (NWSS) campuses in Devonport and Burnie, which will be accessible to the public. Provide four new free-of-charge breast screening clinics for those aged 50 to 74 located in Kingborough, Devonport, Triabunna and Glenorchy. Provide four new free-of-charge breast screening clinics for those aged 50 to 74 located in Kingborough, Devonport, Triabunna and Glenorchy. Introduce Paramedic Practitioner roles and change the law to allow them to prescribe certain medications. Introduce Paramedic Practitioner roles and change the law to allow them to prescribe certain medications. Provide scholarships for Registered Nurses to gain Master of Nurse Practitioners qualifications. Extend existing stamp duty concessions to newly built houses. Extend existing stamp duty concessions to newly built houses. Release a monthly planning dashboard that compares council performance on planning and development approvals. Release a monthly planning dashboard that compares council performance on planning and development approvals. Review the process for appealing requests for information and "make sure councils are held to account". Review the process for appealing requests for information and "make sure councils are held to account". Clarify and simplify what is required to submit a development application. Supports the development of the Macquarie Point stadium through special enabling legislation in parliament, rather than the Project of State Significance process. Supports the development of the Macquarie Point stadium. The party has supported the passage of special enabling legislation until now but during the campaign has said it will consult on what is the "right approval process". Opposes the development of the Macquarie Point stadium. Opposes the development of the Macquarie Point stadium. Ensure there are no cuts to the public service workforce. Set on-time, on-budget delivery of infrastructure projects as a key performance indicator of all department secretaries and government business CEOs. Set on-time, on-budget delivery of infrastructure projects as a key performance indicator of all department secretaries and government business CEOs. Ban bonuses for government business executives who fail to deliver on projects. Ban bonuses for government business executives who fail to deliver on projects. Establish an on-time, on-budget infrastructure oversight team. Both new Spirit of Tasmania ships to be brought back to Tasmania by Christmas. No promises have been made yet for these categories No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Jobs No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Aboriginal Affairs No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Privatisation No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Cost of living No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Law and Order No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Climate and environment No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Business No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Community No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Energy No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Tourism No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Arts No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Sports No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Primary industries No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Miscellaneous No promises have been made for this category. Liberals Labor Greens Nationals Posted 19m ago 19 minutes ago Tue 17 Jun 2025 at 9:24pm
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Inquest for newborn baby Alby Spreadborough who died at Emerald Hospital
A coronial inquest will investigate the death of a baby boy at a Queensland hospital, following more than two years of advocacy from his grieving parents. Bec Spreadborough's precious son Alby died at Emerald Hospital in February 2023, after an obstructed labour, which occurs when the baby cannot move through the birth canal. In a statement to the ABC, Ms Spreadborough said the decision to proceed to a coronial inquest was an "enormous relief" for her family. She said the coroner's report was disappointing and did not adequately investigate the factors leading to his death. "That trust was deeply let down." Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Integrity Deb Frecklington said she directed the state coroner to hold an inquest after a meeting with Ms Spreadborough and her husband, Tim. "The loss of any child is heartbreaking, and I hope this decision helps them to get the answers they need," she said. Ms Frecklington's decision marks the second time in recent weeks she has used her powers to order an inquest, after complaints about the central coroner's reports. Ms Spreadborough said it took the central coroner more than two years to deliver the findings, which found Alby's death was not preventable. The coroner ruled the cause of death was an obstructed labour with a Bandl's ring. A Bandl's ring is a rare complication where a ring of muscle constricts between the upper and lower sections of the uterus. She said she had raised with hospital staff her desire to have a caesarean section several times during her labour, but alleged she was pressured to continue to have a vaginal birth. In Queensland, there have been two coronial inquests, both in 2017, for babies who died with obstructed labour as a factor in their deaths. In both cases, the state coroner recommended better education for hospital staff to identify obstructed labour. Ms Spreadborough said she was concerned about the experts the coroner relied on for the report, as there was no neonatologist who could have assessed Alby's condition and the hospital's resuscitation efforts. That is despite a previous review from the Central Queensland Health Service, which recommended the Emerald maternity team undertake regular emergency skill drills for neonatal resuscitation, among other measures. Earlier this year, Queensland Health announced it was developing new clinical guidelines for obstructed and prolonged labour, following Ms Spreadborough's advocacy. It is due to be completed in the second half of this year.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Biocurious: Rhythm gets into the groove of predicting and preventing cancer
Rhythm Biosciences has expanded its original remit of bowel cancer to diagnosing other cancers early in the piece The company late last year acquired the Genetype platform from the administrators of Genetic Technologies Rhythm is developing its blood-based bowel cancer assay Colostat as a laboratory test Cancer diagnostics house Rhythm Biosciences (ASX:RHY) goes by the age-old seamstress lore that a stitch in time saves nine. In the case of common cancers, treating them later is much more expensive than if they are detected early. 'Without screening, cancers are diagnosed at late stage, by which time the cost of treatment is much greater,' says Rhythm CEO Dr David Atkins. In the case of bowel cancer, Australians aged between 50 and 75 are eligible for a free biennial test, delivered to their door. One problem is fewer than half of the 'poo tests' – more formally known as faecal occult tests (FOTs) – are returned. The program is costly to run. Another is that the disease increasingly is being detected in the under 50s, which account for 20% of all cases. The reasons are unclear. One hypothesis is exposure to a particular e-coli toxin in early childhood, possibly more prolific because of antibiotics use, caesarean births or probiotics. Others blame wheat-based diets. 'We have good screening programs, but the economics are such that we can't really go below 50 years old,'' Atkins says. Getting into the Rhythm Rhythm is working on a double-banger solution to early detection not just of bowel cancer – its original remit – but other tumours as well. The company has been developing Colostat, a minimally invasive blood-based test that detects certain protein biomarkers. The tech had its origins from within the hallowed halls of the CSIRO, more than two decades ago. 'Our goal is to provide a simple inexpensive lab-based test that will be equivalent to the stool-based test for the symptomatic patient,' Atkins says. Late last year Rhythm acquired a testing platform, Genetype, from the administrators of the failed listed Genetic Technologies. Genetype tests an individual's genetic propensity to get cancer. 'The two platforms work hand in hand,' Atkins says. 'Genetype is the earliest possible point at which you can detect disease, while Colostat is able to detect disease once it has actually formed.' For many people, FOT is not the right fit Many recipients are unwilling to carry out the FOT test for religious or cultural reasons – or simply squeamishness. Requiring two samples over two days, the test is somewhat cumbersome. But Atkins says Colostat is unlikely to replace FOTs for routine screening. 'Screening tests anywhere take a long time to be adopted and authorities would be reluctant to disturb the status quo'. Rather, Colostat is likely to be an 'adjunct or alternative to the current standard of care' for the symptomatic population. In other words, the test would be used by GPs on doctors on the small minority of patients that present with symptoms. 'Unfortunately, in Australia most of the circa 15,000 cases diagnosed annually results from patients going to their doctor with symptoms,' Atkins says. 'Doctors need a solution to determine whether they can send the individuals for a colonoscopy, or send them home.' The clinicians obtain a result within 24 hours, rather than a week or more for the FOT test. The flipside of effective detection is avoiding overservicing. If the patient goes home safely, that's a big plus for the health system. Atkins notes that Australian clinics carry out one million colonoscopies annually. Given the detection figure of 15,000 patients, many are unnecessary and 'result in unnecessary cost and stress.' Clinical tests have shown that Colostat is more effective at detecting cancer than a FOT test, which detects blood in the stools. But this could also be a sign of polyps, ulcers, or hemorrhoids. That said, Rhythm is happy with mere equivalency. After all, the Colostat test always will be more effective than an unused poo test. Pursuing the lab-based route On March 6, 2023, Rhythm shares tumbled 45% after the company withdrew its 1300-page marketing application to the local Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The company felt it was unable to provide the information the agency requested within the requisite 20 business days. Initially, Rhythm planned to resubmit to the TGA, but now plans to commercialise Colostat via the laboratory-developed test route. 'Lab based' refers to the common path of shipping the test to an appropriately certified lab, which acts as the quality gatekeeper. Certification means National Association of Testing Authorities accreditation. The lab-based route obviates the need for TGA approval for general dispersal. 'Most new diagnostics go down the lab path,' Atkins says. 'It's rare for a new diagnostics company to put an assay in a box and try to get TGA approval, which is an expensive and difficult path.' In the case of Colostat, one or two labs nationally could handle the processing, so the lab route is not that arduous. 'We're not going to need hundreds of labs running our assays in future, but we will need more than one.' Atkins, who joined Rhythm a year ago says: 'We have focused on taking the work the previous team has done and leveraging that so we can get a high-quality product to market.' This work includes reformulating the protein biomarkers that Colostat detects, using a single simplified assay. 'We are finalising the verification validation for the assay to ensure it does what it says on the label.' Predicting cancer risk The Genetype tests are a mix of genomic data and clinical and demographic history. 'The selling point for Genetype is that it gives insights into individuals' risk profiles that they otherwise wouldn't get,' Atkins says. The Genetype acquisition transforms Rhythm from development stage to a revenue-generating business, Rhythm paid $625,000 for Genetype – less these days than a house in Darwin or Hobart. Atkins says Genetic Technologies spent 'comfortably more' than that on developing Genetype over more than a decade. In the year to June 2024 Genetic Technologies derived $134,085 of revenue from Genetype, 200% higher than the previous year. Atkins says Rhythm primarily has acquired the know-how behind Genetype – seven key staff members stayed on – as well as a watertight patent portfolio and US and local lab licences. Rhythm also obtains the medical history of several thousand patients which it ultimately could use for R&D. "This is incredibly valuable," Atkins says. Won't make the same mistake Atkins says Genetic Technologies tried to sell Genetype directly to consumers. In reality, physicians need to request the test. 'We are focused on partners who either are GP networks or have GPs within their system. For example, employee management groups, insurers, clinical networks and laboratories.' Health insurers could carry out the test routinely, as part of health checks. Atkins says there's a sizeable market of consumers willing to pay out of pocket for the test, ranging from 'worried well' those already deemed high risk. Nonetheless, the company is exploring reimbursement. Atkins says while the US is the obvious market, Europe and China are also challenging but appealing. 'We are not ignoring Australia – the tenth biggest global health wellness market based on out-of-pocket payments,' he says. 'GPs tell us there is a real appetite for individuals to invest in their own health.' Meanwhile, Rhythm expects Colostat revenue to flow from 2026. Following that, the company hopes to expand the assay to six other tumours, including lung cancer. 'The next 12 to 18 months for Rhythm should be truly transformational,' Atkins says.
