DRIVER WAS UNFIT
on his licence, he may not have been driving on the day of the explosion.
“Of course, this is also speculative, noting Mr Scutt’s wilful disregard over a period of 11 years of all advice not to drive,” she said.
The coroner said that while it was not mandatory for Dr Connolloy to formally report Mr Scutt’s condition to the transport department, she recommended that “peak bodies” in health and transport create an “inter-agency” working group led by the transport department to improve education about voluntary reporting.
The group would also include Queensland Health, Austroads, the Office of Health Ombudsman and a range of other medical organisations.
Ms Wilson recommended they “collaborate to develop an ongoing education and awareness campaign directed to all medical practitioners in Queensland”.
“That such campaigns be specifically developed to educate those practitioners about the requirements to report patients directly to the state licensing authority in circumstances that are consistent with Austroads’ fitness to drive guidelines.”
Following her findings and recommendations, she said the court extended its deepest sympathies to the families of Ms Nyholt and Ms Clark.
“(We) wish you well in your healing,” Ms Wilson said.
“To all emergency services personnel on that day, I acknowledge all those extraordinary efforts.
“We also remember the wider community of Ravenshoe.
“Many of the residents know one or more persons involved in this tragedy. The town remains bewildered and saddened by the events.”