‘Likely’ fall led to drowning

A LAUNCESTON man, whose sudden disappearance after a dinner party in Perth two years ago sparked a months-long police search, drowned after a likely accidental fall into the South Esk River, a Tasmanian Coroner has ruled.

Ben Wara Plowright, 20, was last seen alive on Saturday May 30, 2015, with his body not found until September.

Coroner Duncan Fairley found that Mr Plowright, a well-liked and sociable young man without any indication of significant psychological issues, had been collected by a friend, Jordan Heerey, from his Launceston residence in the late afternoon and driven to Perth where a group of friends were gathering for a meal and drinks.

“At approximately 8pm the group noticed a negative change in Mr Plowright’s demeanour,” Mr Fairley found.

“He became progressively rude and belligerent. Mr Heerey spoke with Mr Plowright who stated that he had consumed amphetamine in addition to a significant quantity of alcohol.”

After friends suggested that Mr Plowright return to Launceston, he became agitated and walked away from the house party to Perth.

Soon afterwards, Mr Heerey phoned his friend, with Mr Plowright simply saying “have a good night” before disconnecting the call.

When another friend phoned soon afterwards, Mr Plowright told him he was in Launceston Mall, and that he had “messed up”.

Mr Fairley found that when this information was relayed to Mr Heerey and his friends, their active search for Mr Plowright in the Perth area was discontinued.

A subsequent search in and around Perth involving members of Mr Plowright’s family, Tasmania Police and SES crews proved unsuccessful, and it was not until September 4 that two men kayaking on the South Esk discovered Mr Plowright’s body submerged in deep water.

“I am unable to say with any degree of certainty how Mr Plowright came to be immersed in the river, however, given the combined factors set out in this finding, including his level of intoxication and the lack of ambient lighting I find that the mechanism involved was most likely an accidental fall,” Mr Fairley said.

Mr Fairley conveyed his sincere condolences to the family of Mr Plowright.