Report months away
Coroner’s investigation into rugby player’s death could take several more months
A coroner investigation into the death of 18-year-old Island rugby player Brodie McCarthy could still be months from completion.
“The coroner’s investigation is ongoing and we do not have a specific timeline,’’ says a spokeswoman for New Brunswick’s Department of Justice and Public Safety.
“We can say that typically a coroner’s investigation takes anywhere from three to six months to complete but may be longer depending on the complexity of the circumstances surrounding a death.’’
McCarthy, a student at Montague Regional High, collapsed during a tournament match in May at Three Oaks Senior High School in Summerside. He was taken to hospital in Moncton where he later died.
Because his death occurred there, the New Brunswick coroner’s officer is conducting an investigation rather than P.E.I.’s coroner’s office.
A review conducted by the P.E.I. Department of Education, the Public Schools Branch and the P.E.I. School Athletic Association determined organizers of the tournament were not at fault and proper procedures were followed following the collision on the field.
Generally speaking, coroner services does not make the outcome of investigations available to the public as per existing privacy legislation, the spokeswoman noted.
“That said, once the investigation has concluded, the investigating coroner could choose to make a recommendation to release information to prevent future deaths under similar circumstances,’’ she said.
“The chief coroner could also choose to order an inquest once the investigation is complete. In that case, we would make a public announcement and issue a press release.’’