A Melbourne private school has been charged after a student died during a trip to Vietnam in 2019.
The student, named Lachlan Cook, was 16 years old and diabetic when he developed complications during the trip.
He was then flown back to Melbourne.
The Baptist school in Melbourne’s southeast was charged by WorkSafe following the death of the student.
It’s alleged that the organization failed to reduce the risks of injury or illness to students with diabetes.
Another company, World Challenge Expeditions, was also charged with multiple violations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The case is scheduled to be presented in court on April 30. During the trip, Lachlan was managing his diabetes.
He started vomiting after eating street food during a visit to Hoi An in September 2019.
He was then taken to a hospital after his blood glucose levels reached dangerously high.
Lachlan’s condition rapidly worsened, and he suffered a cardiac arrest.
He was then taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital, but he was declared brain-dead on October 4, 2019.
He was only taken to the hospital a couple of hours later due to his dangerously high blood glucose levels.
Lachlan’s condition quickly worsened after he suffered a cardiac arrest.
After being flown back to the hospital, his life support was stopped on October 4. He was then declared brain-dead.
Despite his worsening condition, he was still expected to monitor his blood sugar levels.
In a report released following an investigation, forensic analyst Michael Jamieson said that the shortcomings and failures of the Kilvington Grammar School and World Challenge Expeditions contributed to the student’s death.
He also noted that the teenager’s ability to manage his diabetes had declined after he got sick.