We didn’t know he was dying: Cops

THREE police officers have said they need more than just basic first aid training to deal with medical issues, a coronial inquest was told yesterday.

In giving evidence during the inquiry into the death of a homeless man, Pasquale Rosario Giorgio, the officers told the court they did not have the training to identify Mr Giorgio was in trouble before he died.

Two officers said they also could not find face masks to help give CPR when Mr Giorgio stopped breathing.

The man died in Victoria Park, Broadbeach after police began to talk to him after he refused to leave a nearby closed restaurant on April 5.

While talking to police Mr Giorgio pulled down his shorts and lifted up his shirt. Police then put him on his stomach, before moving him to the back of a police van where his nose and mouth began to froth.

Constable David Williams, Constable Michael Zairis and Constable Simon Walsh told the inquest they did not know how to recognise Mr Giorgio’s condition was deteriorating.

Const Walsh and Const Williams both said they looked for a face mask to help them perform CPR but were unable to find one in police car’s first aid kit. The inquest has been adjourned to August 1 and will resume in Brisbane.