Guard sues over death

A TWEED HEADS security guard who attempted to revive a guest who drowned in a Hamilton Island resort pool is suing his former employers for mental anguish caused by the death.

Clive Joseph Campbell, 33, was abused by the wife of the man who died after attempts to resuscitate him failed, according to a claim filed in the Townsville District Court.

“... the deceased’s wife who was in a hysterical state walked up to (Mr Campbell) and started yelling at him and asking why he was unable to save her husband,” the court documents said.

He is claiming more than $169,000 to help cope with post-traumatic stress caused by the incident.

The documents state he received no help after the incident.

Mr Campbell, who worked in security at the resort, was called to help about 8.45pm on December 9, 2013, when there was a reported drowning.

No lifeguards were on duty at the pool, according to the court documents.

He grabbed oxygen and defibrillator kits and headed to the pool where a man of Asian descent had already been pulled from the water and first aid was being applied.

Mr Campbell immediately began to help until an off-duty paramedic arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later, followed by a doctor about five minutes later.

The doctor man dead.

Mr Campbell was required to remain on scene until police declared the removed

12.30am.

Shine Lawyers general manager Kimberley Allen said Mr Campbell was incredibly shaken after the incident.

“Mr Campbell’s feelings of guilt and distress were magnified in the aftermath of the incident following interactions with the family of the deceased, who were understandably devastated and asking questions such as why Mr Campbell had been unable to save their loved one,” she said.

“Despite his direct and traumatising involvement in this the body about tragedy, Mr Campbell was not offered counselling nor actively encouraged to be involved in any form of debrief/ open discussion about the incident by his employer.

“The employer held an attempted debrief the following day, however Mr Campbell was not made aware it was taking place and steps were not taken to ensure he attended. This left Mr Campbell unable to take up these postincident opportunities that may have helped him deal with the shocking tragedy he witnessed, which is now etched in his memory forever.”

Ms Allen said Mr Campbell had first aid training but not training to help him cope with a death.

Mr Campbell has been diagnosed with a 15 per cent permanent impairment as a result of his post-traumatic stress disorder and had since moved to Tweed Heads, and works in security at The Star casino.

A spokeswoman for Hamilton Island said: “As this is an ongoing legal matter, it is not appropriate for Hamilton Island to provide comment at this time”.