The family of a 16-year-old boy who was given a “dangerous amount of alcohol” at a Christmas lunch that left him unable to walk, vomited and died has been slammed by a coroner.
On December 25, 2022, the boy was at his aunt's house in Victoria, Australia, with his parents.
State coroner Catherine Fitzgerald said in an inquest into his death that the boy, who was given the pseudonym LG, had consumed a large amount of alcohol at a family gathering attended by about 12 other people.
He brought his own drinks to the party, including 10 vodka cruisers and several cans of mixed drinks, but also drank from a well-stocked spirits bar, including double-strength bourbon and cola.
A coroner's report released Wednesday criticizes the boy's parents and other adults who witnessed his heavy drinking, saying their intervention could have prevented his death.
“Forcing minors to consume alcohol in such quantities poses a significant risk to their health and well-being and should not be allowed to occur,” Fitzgerald said in the report. I mentioned it inside.
“The supervision of LG's alcohol consumption and level of intoxication by LG's parents and adult family members was completely inadequate.
“This effectively allowed LG to consume dangerous amounts of alcohol throughout the day and into the evening.
“It is worth remembering that he was only 16 years old, but the sale and supply of alcohol to minors is illegal.”
The report notes that LG has been witnessed not only drinking shots, but also engaging in activities such as “snorkeling” and “vortexing,” which consumes alcohol faster and accelerates drunkenness.
The boy and his family arrived at the party at noon. By evening, Mr. LG was vomiting so violently that he was unable to walk and was effectively incapacitated.
“LG clearly consumed large amounts of alcohol,” Fitzgerald wrote.
Despite his condition, none of the adults at the party “attempted to intervene appropriately,” although at one point his mother, who had bought him a vodka cruiser, told him to “pace himself.” “Please keep it that way.”
Early on the morning of December 26th, LG was helped to the sofa on the balcony of his home and fell asleep.
Around 8:30 a.m., his uncle noticed that he looked gray and had foam and vomit in his mouth.
Paramedics were called to the home and the boy was taken to the Royal Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced brain dead. He died on December 28th from acute alcohol poisoning.
Mr Fitzgerald said in his report that the results of the inquest were being published to highlight the dangers of underage drinking.
She also brought home the responsibility of adults, especially parents, who provide alcohol to children.
