Independent MP slammed for linking NRL player Keith Titmuss' death to climate change
Dr Sophie Scamps, the member for Mackellar on Sydney's northern beaches, has suggested 'lethal humidity' could have been a factor in the death of Keith Titmuss after a Manly Sea Eagles pre-season training session in November 2020.
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Code Sports reports Dr Scamps floated the theory that 'lethal humidity' would become more prominent when speaking at a Doctors for the Environment Australia event in February.
She made the comments referencing 'the death of the young man, the rugby league player', Titmuss, who died following a seizure at Manly's training base in Narrabeen.
Dr Scamps' remarks were prompted by a question about the link between climate change and health.
'One of the things that really struck me – we've got this thing called lethal humidity now,' said Dr Scamps, who is a GP.
'With every rise of one degree in temperature you have seven degrees increased per cent in humidity, so the death of that young man – and I'm not saying – the death of the young man the rugby league player when it was 33 degrees a very humid day, died from heat stress – you know, after a training session.
'That type of lethal humidity is something that the medical fraternity is getting more and more concerned about.
'Apparently, the human body can survive up to 54 degrees Celsius – it's pretty hot. But, with high-level humidity, that level comes down to kind of 33, even 31 degrees, so it's something to consider.'
Deputy State Coroner Derek Lee found that Manly's training session in the off-season heat was 'more likely than not inappropriate' and pointed to several factors that contributed to Titmuss's heat stroke, including his high body-mass index and a lack of aerobic capacity in comparison to teammates.
Lee did not reference 'lethal humidity' in his findings.
In his coroner's report, Lee noted the maximum temperature on the day of Titmuss' death as 25 degrees.
'The temperature (measured at Terrey Hills) was 21.3°C at 9:00am and 21.6°C at 3:00pm, with a maximum temperature of 24.9°C. The relative humidity was at 92% at 9:00am, decreasing to 74% at 3:00pm,' the coroner's report stated.
Titmuss' mother Lafo has been left upset by Dr Scamps' comments.
'I'm disappointed that (Dr Scamps) is using my son's name to try and gain political points when all she needed to do was read Derek Lee's findings, which mention nothing about climate change,' Lafo said, per Code Sports.
A coronial inquest, which wrapped up in May last year, found Titmuss died of 'exertional heat stroke'.
'Keith's death was a tragedy that will forever keep our thoughts focused on his family and friends – and not about politics,' Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov said on Tuesday.
'As a club, we have been made aware of political remarks, but the facts from the recent Deputy State Coroner's report never stipulated that Keith's death was anything to do with climate change or lethal humidity.
'To suggest otherwise is insensitive and incorrect.'
Titmuss collapsed during a training session at an indoor gym. He was rushed to hospital, where he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
A spokesperson for Dr Scamps again referenced 'lethal humidity' when asked about the MP's comments about Titmuss.
'Sophie and the entire Northern Beaches community are desperately sad for the Titmuss family after the terrible tragedy of Keith's death, which the Coroner's Court found was caused by exertional heat stroke,' the spokeswoman told Code Sports.
'As a doctor and former elite athlete, Sophie takes the threat of lethal humidity extremely seriously. As parents, we do not want our kids to have to train and compete in conditions that put their health at risk. Sophie will continue to push for action to ensure a safe working environment for all athletes, young and old.
'Separately, there is a rise of elite athletes around the world speaking up about the dangers that higher temperatures pose to athletes. The emergence of organisations like Sport4Climate, The Green Sports Alliance and the United Nation's Sports for Climate Action demonstrate the seriousness of the threat.'
Dr Scamps was one of six 'teal' Independents who defeated Liberal MPs at the 2022 federal election.
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The Age
11-08-2025
- The Age
RXV Wellness Village, Thailand: Hell-bent on relaxing, I went to extreme measures at this Thai health spa
, register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. This article is part of Traveller's Holiday Guide to Wellness & Spas. See all stories. My heart is racing faster than one would hope after two days at a health retreat. I've come here to relax, but have spent the morning feeling an edginess that is now escalating to panic. I'm standing in front of a machine that resembles a plush, white Tardis. I've stripped down to my underwear, and I am staring at the garments I've been given to put on; fluffy slippers shaped like oversized tennis shoes, long socks, ear muffs and a pair of faux-fur pink gloves. Once dressed like a midlife K-pop fan, I'll be stepping into a padded chamber in which the temperature has been lowered to minus 110 degrees Celsius. I hate being cold. I've refused once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as swimming in the Dead Sea or at an Antarctic beach, to avoid it. 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Sydney Morning Herald
05-08-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Successful or not, NRL court cases shine spotlight on player safety
Struggling to comprehend his downward spiral after a life-altering training session now the subject of a multi-million dollar Supreme Court action, Lloyd Perrett was allegedly told there was nothing wrong with him. 'The plaintiff's mental health deteriorated by reason of his concern at his physical deterioration and how that would affect his future while at the same time being told by the Club's personnel that there was nothing wrong with him and that nothing could be done about it,' according to Perrett's statement of claim, lodged with the Supreme Court on Monday. Given he has just launched a legal action, Perrett has most certainly done something about it. As to whether there is something wrong with Perrett, and whether former employer Manly was negligent during a contentious pre-season workout at the Narrabeen Sports Complex on November 6, 2017, that is the $5 million question. Perrett claims he suffered exertional heatstroke, heat stress-induced seizure and psychiatric injury after participating in running sessions in which he was deprived of water. The former Bulldogs prop said he was never the same player or person after being in 'a comatose state for two days', and revealed he had considered taking his own life after his career was cut short prematurely. It's not the only league-related matter before the Supreme Court. Former Canterbury forward Jackson Topine is suing the Bulldogs, claiming he was subjected to 'assault' when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session last year. The Bulldogs have vowed to vigorously defend the matter. Meanwhile, over in the UK, more than 1000 rugby union and rugby league players have launched a concussion class action. Such lawsuits have raised fears that it's only a matter of time before doctors and lawyers kill off rugby league as we know it. However, it's important to distinguish between the concussion cases – which are facing their own challenges – and alleged negligence off the field. Only last month, the judge presiding over the concussion class action in the UK blasted the lawyer bringing the claim, accusing him of a 'complete misunderstanding of his responsibilities' and having 'a problem with the English language.' Senior Master Jeremy Cook said that medical records were missing in about 90 per cent of cases, in a huge setback for the plaintiffs. Closer to home, the most famous concussion case was brought by former Newcastle Knights winger James McManus. After seeking a $1 million payout, McManus said he was 'broken' after the NRL in 2021 stated the matter 'has been resolved in the Knights' favour.' The Australian Rugby League Commission has also withstood a legal challenge launched by premiership-winning prop Michael Greenfield over its handling of shoulder charges.
The Age
05-08-2025
- The Age
Successful or not, NRL court cases shine spotlight on player safety
Struggling to comprehend his downward spiral after a life-altering training session now the subject of a multi-million dollar Supreme Court action, Lloyd Perrett was allegedly told there was nothing wrong with him. 'The plaintiff's mental health deteriorated by reason of his concern at his physical deterioration and how that would affect his future while at the same time being told by the Club's personnel that there was nothing wrong with him and that nothing could be done about it,' according to Perrett's statement of claim, lodged with the Supreme Court on Monday. Given he has just launched a legal action, Perrett has most certainly done something about it. As to whether there is something wrong with Perrett, and whether former employer Manly was negligent during a contentious pre-season workout at the Narrabeen Sports Complex on November 6, 2017, that is the $5 million question. Perrett claims he suffered exertional heatstroke, heat stress-induced seizure and psychiatric injury after participating in running sessions in which he was deprived of water. The former Bulldogs prop said he was never the same player or person after being in 'a comatose state for two days', and revealed he had considered taking his own life after his career was cut short prematurely. It's not the only league-related matter before the Supreme Court. Former Canterbury forward Jackson Topine is suing the Bulldogs, claiming he was subjected to 'assault' when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session last year. The Bulldogs have vowed to vigorously defend the matter. Meanwhile, over in the UK, more than 1000 rugby union and rugby league players have launched a concussion class action. Such lawsuits have raised fears that it's only a matter of time before doctors and lawyers kill off rugby league as we know it. However, it's important to distinguish between the concussion cases – which are facing their own challenges – and alleged negligence off the field. Only last month, the judge presiding over the concussion class action in the UK blasted the lawyer bringing the claim, accusing him of a 'complete misunderstanding of his responsibilities' and having 'a problem with the English language.' Senior Master Jeremy Cook said that medical records were missing in about 90 per cent of cases, in a huge setback for the plaintiffs. Closer to home, the most famous concussion case was brought by former Newcastle Knights winger James McManus. After seeking a $1 million payout, McManus said he was 'broken' after the NRL in 2021 stated the matter 'has been resolved in the Knights' favour.' The Australian Rugby League Commission has also withstood a legal challenge launched by premiership-winning prop Michael Greenfield over its handling of shoulder charges.
