A father was first on the scene of a crash that claimed his own son’s life.
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Craig Broomhall was on duty as a paramedic when he was called to a single vehicle crash at Meander on May 26, 2017.
His son, Callum Broomhall, was was the sole occupant and had hit a tree, a Coroner’s report released on Thursday confirmed.
“He commenced treatment on his son who was conscious upon arrival, but appeared to be in critical condition,” Coroner Olivia McTaggart said.
“Further emergency services personnel arrived and Mr Broomhall was removed from the vehicle and further treated.”
His condition deteriorated and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses who first arrived at the scene observed Mr Broomhall had not been wearing a seatbelt.
Earlier that day Mr Broomhall, 26, had been working as a farm hand. After work, he met with his employer and they went to the Bracknell Hotel for after work drinks. The pair travelled to Deloraine and had more drinks at the Deloraine Hotel.
“The evidence suggests Mr Broomhall had consumed approximately eight beers,” Ms McTaggart said.
After driving back to the Meander property where he had been working that day, Mr Broomhall left in his vehicle. He crashed a short time later.
Mr Broomhall was a diabetic and his father tested him at the scene of the crash. It was suggested by his father that a hypoglycaemic attack may have been the cause.
Medical expert opinions concluded Mr Broomhall was not in a hypoglycaemic state.
“Mr Broomhall was driving with a high level of alcohol in his body at the time of the crash, likely in excess of twice the legal limit,” Ms McTaggart said.
“The evidence of the toxicologist is that at this level the resulting impairment of driving performance increases the risk of a crash between five and 10 times that of a driver with nil blood alcohol.
“In this sad case Mr Broomhall’s high consumption of alcohol and failure to wear a seatbelt were major contributors to the crash and the injuries resulting in death.”