By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Maurice Wayne Matthews, 70, was found dead while working on a vehicle at his step-son’s house in Yellingbo three years ago.
A state coroner handed down recommendations in early March calling for better education to prevent further deaths of this kind.
At around 9am on 5 July 2021, The Patch resident attended his step-son Peter and daughter-in-law Jennifer Sanders house to work on a vehicle Mr Sanders owned.
At around 11am, Ms Sanders spoke to Mr Matthews who was working underneath the vehicle, he told her he was okay and was his ‘normal, happy self,’ Ms Sanders then left to go shopping.
Later that day at around 3pm, Ms Sanders returned and checked on Mr Matthews.
He did not respond when she yelled his name, so she grabbed his leg, when he did not respond, she ran to her neighbours who were standing at the fence and called emergency services.
Emergency services arrived at the scene shortly after, but sadly Mr Matthews was unable to be revived.
During the investigation, police observed a rope tied from the front bull bar of the vehicle to the nearby carport post.
The investigators reported that a jack appeared to have been set up at the pinch points on the right side of the vehicle, the carport was also on a rocky and sloped section of the ground, and the jack was leaning slightly to the right on an uneven section of gravel, causing the front of the vehicle to dip downwards.
Forensic Pathologist Dr Brian David Beer from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) conducted an external examination on the body of Mr Matthews on 6 July 2021.
He reviewed the Victoria Police Report of Death and post mortem CT scan and provided a written report of his findings dated 27 July 2021.
The enquiries initially determined that the jack had become unstable on the rocky and sloped terrain and slid, causing the front of the vehicle to shift.
Dr Beer provided an opinion that the medical cause of death was mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or a physical force stops you from breathing, in this case Mr Matthews died from being crushed under a car.
His medical history showed Mr Matthew had a coronary artery disease for which he had a coronary artery bypass graft in 2017, glaucoma and obstructive sleep apnoea.
He reported depression in 2018 for which he was prescribed sertraline to good effect; he was a very fit and healthy otherwise.
His death was reported to the Coroner as it fell within the definition of a reportable death in the Coroners Act 2008 (the Act).
Reportable deaths include deaths that are unexpected, unnatural or violent or result from accident or injury.
The role of a coroner is to independently investigate reportable deaths to establish, if possible, identity, medical cause of death, and surrounding circumstances.
The purpose of a coronial investigation is to establish the facts, not to cast blame or determine criminal or civil liability.
Under the Act, coroners have the power in helping to prevent deaths and promoting public health and safety and the administration of justice through the making of comments or recommendations in appropriate cases about any matter connected to the death under investigation.
An officer was assigned by Victoria Police to carry the investigation for the death of Mr Matthews on behalf of the Coroner.
Coroner Audrey Jamieson said the findings drew on the totality of the coronial investigation into the death of Mr Matthews including evidence contained in the coronial brief.
“Whilst I have reviewed all the material, I will only refer to that which is directly relevant to my findings or necessary for narrative clarity, in the coronial jurisdiction, facts must be established on the balance of probabilities,” Ms Jamieson said in the final report.
“The Coroner’s Investigator conducted inquiries on my behalf, including taking statements from witnesses – such as family, the forensic pathologist, treating clinicians and investigating officers – and submitted a coronial brief of evidence.”
With a view to identifying pertinent prevention opportunities, Ms Jamieson asked the Coroners Prevention Unit (CPU) to provide her with data on occurring deaths in similar circumstances.
The CPU identified 25 deaths in Victoria between 1 January 2010 and 12 October 2021, where the deceased was working under a vehicle and the mechanism used to raise the vehicle failed, causing them to be crushed.
Data revealed all deceased were male, with their ages ranging from 18 to 75.
Victorian coroners have made a number of comments and recommendations aimed at reducing preventable deaths resulting from at-home vehicle maintenance.
Her Honour made a few recommendations to prevent injuries and deaths in similar circumstances.
“I recommend that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to consider renewing its national ‘Safe Summer’ campaign with a view to including DIY motor vehicle repairs and maintenance, and review its strategies for disseminating information involved in the campaign,” Ms Jamieson said.
“I also recommend that WorkSafe Victoria once again considered collaborating with the ACCC in its campaigns to promote safety precautions for DIY vehicle maintenance.
“Whilst Maurice was a retired diesel mechanic and therefore had the appropriate technical knowledge to repair a vehicle, the fact remains that doing so at home is an inherently dangerous activity that carries the risk of death, and these preventable deaths continue to occur.”
Mr Matthews was married to Heather for 26 years.
His family described him as a much-loved father, stepfather to his wife’s children, and grandfather.
He loved travelling, dining with family and helping those around him.
His friends and family were his life and he would lend a hand to anyone; he was always approachable and willing to assist.
