Coroner finds police, paramedics not at fault in Karratha motorcycle chase death
Fifty-year-old Donald Ward died after coming off his motorbike on De Witt Road in Karratha in the early hours of March 4, 2023.
Due to the possibility of police playing a role in his death, the coroner was obliged to investigate Mr Ward's death.
The inquest before Coroner Michael Jenkin heard police officers had tried to conduct a traffic stop after Mr Ward appeared to exceed the speed limit.
The inquest heard Mr Ward, who was under the influence of alcohol and cannabis, drove at speeds exceeding 180 kilometres per hour through Karratha's back streets.
The chase was abandoned after police lost sight of the motorcycle.
A short time later, Mr Ward was located in bushland with serious injuries.
Officers began working to resuscitate him but had problems attaching and operating their defibrillator, likely due to one of the pads being placed "too low" on his flank.
Efforts to resuscitate Mr Ward resumed after paramedics arrived at the scene, but he was unable to be revived.
In findings published on Monday, Mr Jenkin concluded Mr Ward's decision to ride his motorcycle while intoxicated contributed to his death.
Toxicological analysis also revealed he had a blood alcohol alcohol level of 0.186 per cent with tetrahydrocannabinol detected in his system.
Mr Jenkin said given the circumstances, his death "occurred by way of accident" from multiple injuries.
He also concluded the resuscitation efforts made by police officers were "timely and appropriate" and accepted evidence that the paramedic's decision to cease resuscitation was appropriate.
"Don would still have suffered a hypoxic brain injury, meaning that his death was inevitable," Mr Jenkin found.
An emergency medicine physician told the coroner the officer's placement of the defibrillator may have been difficult given Mr Ward's size, the fact he was sweating, and the available light at the location.
Mr Jenkin strongly recommended WA Police ask its first aid training provider to emphasise the importance of the correct placement of defibrillator pads, especially for those who are obese.
He added that police officers, career paramedics and volunteer paramedics in regional areas were required to respond to serious incidents without the same support as metropolitan areas.
"I wish to again convey to Don's former partner, his family and his friends, on behalf of the court, my very sincere condolences for your terrible loss," Mr Jenkin said.
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