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Inquests to Examine Police Actions After Two Men Drowned in Fitzroy River - Rockhampton, QLD
Smart summary
Upcoming Rockhampton inquests will examine police decisions surrounding the deaths of two men who drowned while fleeing police in separate 2023 incidents.
Two separate deaths in Rockhampton's Fitzroy River will be examined through back-to-back coronial inquests beginning in November.
The cases involve Mitchell Francis Callaghan, 27, who drowned in January 2023, and Martin “Marty” John Wheeler, 36, who drowned in October 2023. Both deaths occurred after the men fled from police.
The upcoming inquests will examine the circumstances surrounding the police responses and the decisions made during the incidents.
In Mr Wheeler's case, evidence heard during a pre-inquest conference raised questions about the decision not to enter the Fitzroy River after he fled into the water. Police reportedly had concerns about crocodiles and bull sharks in the river, which formed part of the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Mr Wheeler had allegedly fled from police following a foot chase through the Rockhampton area before entering the river. He was last seen struggling in the water before disappearing. His body was recovered two days later.
The inquest will examine the sequence of events and the actions taken by police during the incident.
The second inquest concerns Mr Callaghan, who drowned after fleeing police following a pursuit involving stolen vehicles. His body was located the following morning.
The two cases are being examined separately, but both involve questions about police pursuit decisions and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Coronial inquests are intended to investigate how a person died and the circumstances surrounding the death. They can also identify issues involving procedures, decision-making and public safety.
The upcoming proceedings do not represent a criminal trial against the police officers involved. Instead, the coroner will examine evidence from officers and other witnesses before reaching findings about the deaths.
The inquests are scheduled to begin at Rockhampton Magistrates Court on November 2 and will run consecutively.
The cases have attracted attention because both deaths occurred in the Fitzroy River after the men attempted to evade police. The river environment itself is expected to be relevant to the examination of the police response, particularly in relation to safety concerns about entering the water.
Further evidence is expected to be presented when the inquests begin. Multiple police officers and other witnesses are expected to give evidence.
The final findings have not yet been made, so no conclusion about responsibility or wrongdoing should be drawn from the current proceedings.
PoliceRiverInquestsDeathsWill
Two separate deaths in Rockhampton's Fitzroy River will be examined through back-to-back coronial inquests beginning in November.
The cases involve Mitchell Francis Callaghan, 27, who drowned in January 2023, and Martin “Marty” John Wheeler, 36, who drowned in October 2023. Both deaths occurred after the men fled from police.
The upcoming inquests will examine the circumstances surrounding the police responses and the decisions made during the incidents.
In Mr Wheeler's case, evidence heard during a pre-inquest conference raised questions about the decision not to enter the Fitzroy River after he fled into the water. Police reportedly had concerns about crocodiles and bull sharks in the river, which formed part of the circumstances surrounding the decision.
Mr Wheeler had allegedly fled from police following a foot chase through the Rockhampton area before entering the river. He was last seen struggling in the water before disappearing. His body was recovered two days later.
The inquest will examine the sequence of events and the actions taken by police during the incident.
The second inquest concerns Mr Callaghan, who drowned after fleeing police following a pursuit involving stolen vehicles. His body was located the following morning.
The two cases are being examined separately, but both involve questions about police pursuit decisions and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Coronial inquests are intended to investigate how a person died and the circumstances surrounding the death. They can also identify issues involving procedures, decision-making and public safety.
The upcoming proceedings do not represent a criminal trial against the police officers involved. Instead, the coroner will examine evidence from officers and other witnesses before reaching findings about the deaths.
The inquests are scheduled to begin at Rockhampton Magistrates Court on November 2 and will run consecutively.
The cases have attracted attention because both deaths occurred in the Fitzroy River after the men attempted to evade police. The river environment itself is expected to be relevant to the examination of the police response, particularly in relation to safety concerns about entering the water.
Further evidence is expected to be presented when the inquests begin. Multiple police officers and other witnesses are expected to give evidence.
The final findings have not yet been made, so no conclusion about responsibility or wrongdoing should be drawn from the current proceedings.
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