Inquest delayed

By DIONTEASDALE
THE coronial inquest into the deaths of two Healesville paramedics on the Black Spur last year has been delayed for three months because a witness is not available.
A spokesman for Melbourne Coroners’ Court said last week that the five day inquest, which was originally scheduled to begin on 22 August, had been deferred until Monday, 28 November.
“The coroner has made a decision to push the inquest into the deaths of Robert Bland and Phillip Oakley back to the last week of November so a key witness can attend,” the spokesman said.
Mr Bland and Mr Oakley were killed on 2 January 2004 in a crash in their ambulance on a bend on the Black Spur.
Ambulance Employees Australia’s general secretary, Steve McGhie, who has raised concerns about the safety of the vehicle the two men were travelling in, said he was disappointed that the inquest had been deferred, but understood the delay was unavoidable.
“It is unfortunate for the families, friends and colleagues of the two men that the matter has been deferred,” he said.
“I think everyone would like to see the matter dealt with and resolved as soon as possible.
“These sorts of delays are a fact of life sometimes and we’ll just have to put up with it.
“It just means the date for a final decision on the case has been pushed back as well.”
Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS) spokesperson James Howe said the delay to the inquest would make no difference to the way MAS approached the case.
“We are at the guidance and direction of the Coroners’ Court and will continue to work with all parties to have this matter dealt with properly,” he said.