a day ago
WA coroner backs police call for suicide support line at The Gap near Albany
Western Australia's coroner has backed recommendations for a "suicide hotline" to be installed at a popular tourist attraction on the state's south coast after it was revealed a man who took his life lingered in the car park for 24 hours.
WARNING: This story contains details that may distress some readers.
Indian national Parbhat was last seen in his vehicle at The Gap near Albany, 420 kilometres south of Perth, on the state's rugged southern coastline on August 5 last year.
The discovery of his abandoned Kia Cerato sparked a large-scale sea and land search by police and emergency service volunteers, but his body was never found.
Coroner Sarah Linton told an inquest into his disappearance that she believed Parbhat had died at the scene.
"I am satisfied he is dead, I am satisfied he has gone over the edge, and I am satisfied that he has died from the impact or water," she said.
The inquest was told Parbhat was living in his car at the time of his death.
His car was seen in the adjacent car park 24 hours before his phone activity ceased.
The 24-year-old had been studying commercial cookery with plans to become a chef, but was disqualified from his course due to poor attendance.
Albany police coronial investigations officer Michael Fazio described Parbhat as "despondent".
Witnesses said the 24-year-old had become withdrawn and was struggling financially in the days leading up to his death, after an extension to his visa was denied.
Senior Constable Fazio made several recommendations, including better CCTV and lighting on the walkways around The Gap, more signage, and a phone line that connected directly to a crisis support service.
He told the inquest that The Gap was a known suicide location and had contacted the City of Albany to improve safety measures.
"Whenever we receive a welfare check, we immediately look at The Gap," he said.
"Improved CCTV, [number] plate-reading cameras, and access to a mental health hotline would give us time to get out there; it could improve safety."
Senior Constable Fazio said previous requests for a hotline to be installed had gone unfulfilled.
"It wouldn't be the first time I've asked for something or suggested something," he said.
"The suicide hotline is the main one … but the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions [DBCA] is ultimately in control of that area.
"It just boils down to what they can and can't do."
A spokesperson for the DBCA said the department would consider all recommendations regarding safety after the inquest.
The City of Albany said The Gap was managed by the DBCA, so any infrastructure or crisis support measures at the site were the department's responsibility.
Signs and some surveillance measures are already in place at The Gap.
But Senior Constable Fazio said cameras that could have alerted police were not working at the time of Parbhat's death.
He said plate-reading cameras and CCTV could be viewed from the police station, but the plate-reading camera at The Gap "wasn't working correctly".
Ms Linton said the recommendations were "sensible and worth considering" and was "satisfied to put these suggestions out to the relevant agencies".
Dedicated hotlines are already being used in other states.
In NSW, The Gap near Sydney's cliff-side suburb of Rose Bay was fitted with high-definition CCTV in 2010.
Several purpose-built lifeline counselling phone booths have also been installed with information boards directing people to Black Dog Institute and Beyond Blue.
