A coroner has denied a request for an inquest from the wife of a Flinders Island man who tragically lost his life after being hit by a police vehicle following a night out at a local pub.
The coroner determined that David Stanley Bailey’s level of intoxication, as he had consumed “18 handles of beer,” played a significant role in his decision to walk on the road after dark. There was no evidence indicating that the police officer involved was either speeding or under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
According to the coroner, no meaningful information would arise from calling witnesses to testify.
The Tasmanian coroner has rejected an application for a public inquiry into the death of a volunteer firefighter who was struck by a police car on Flinders Island. David Stanley Bailey passed away following a night at the local pub on August 17, 2024.
Mr. Bailey’s wife sought a public inquest, citing concerns regarding “lack of transparency,” “procedural shortcomings,” and “possible bias” in the police investigation. However, Coroner Olivia McTaggart dismissed these claims.
In her statement, she noted, “I do not believe that these issues influenced the critical facts to justify a public inquest.” She emphasized that no significant new information would result from calling witnesses for oral testimony.
Witness accounts indicated that Mr. Bailey had consumed “18 handles of beer” over five hours at the Furneaux Tavern before leaving on foot.
In a statement reviewed by the coroner, motorist Fiona Stewart recounted having to brake and swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting Mr. Bailey. “I was in a bit of shock because I felt I could have hit him,” she expressed.
Another driver, Joshua Donovan, remarked that Mr. Bailey was “pretty hard to see” until he noticed the police vehicle behind him had come to a halt. He mistakenly thought the officer had stopped to assist Mr. Bailey. “In fact, the police vehicle driven by Sergeant Preshaw had collided with Mr. Bailey,” the coroner clarified.
Sergeant Preshaw, a police officer with 33 years of experience at the time, immediately initiated CPR, but unfortunately, Mr. Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene. Evidence showed that the sergeant underwent a roadside breath test, which yielded a negative result.
Tasmanian Police Professional Standards officers arrived at the site and concluded that there had been no violations of conduct. The day after the incident, Tasmania Police expressed that it was a “tragedy” for the close-knit community, noting that both Sergeant Preshaw and Mr. Bailey had likely interacted professionally, along with the attending paramedic.
Flinders Island Mayor Rachel Summers remarked that Sergeant Preshaw had recently begun his assignment on the island and was familiar to the locals. She characterized Mr. Bailey as a lifelong resident, a respected business owner, and someone who was “very well loved.”
The coroner noted that credible witness accounts indicated Mr. Bailey was running “on or near the roadway, likely in varying positions at different times over the approximately 3 kilometers of his foot travel.” The coroner also found no evidence suggesting that Sergeant Preshaw exceeded speed limits, drove negligently, or violated police conduct rules, nor did any actions contribute to Mr. Bailey’s death.
In her ruling, the coroner stated that Mr. Bailey’s intoxication contributed to his dangerous positioning on the road, ultimately leading to his tragic death. She also mentioned that the witness interviews conducted by police were thorough and showed no signs of bias in favor of Sergeant Preshaw.
