by Gabriella Vukman
An inquest into the death of Ferntree Gully resident Andrew David Berry found drug-induced sympathomimetic syndrome to be the cause.
At 2.14pm on Tuesday 14 January 2020, Andrew David Berry was arrested by police as he attempted to break into a residential premises in Boronia.
During his break-in, Berry broke various household items and terrorised a 13-year-old girl and her 15-year-old brother.
Due to Berry’s drug-affected, aggressive and agitated state, the police used capsicum spray to subdue Berry in order to handcuff him and complete his arrest.
En route to the Boronia Police Station, Berry became unresponsive, prompting first aid administration upon his arrival at the police station.
An ambulance was soon called at 2.59pm when, despite first aid efforts, Berry remained unconscious and appeared hyperthermic.
Mr Berry’s temperature was recorded at a sweltering 43 degrees Celsius, far above the average 36 degrees, and his condition continued to deteriorate.
As he was being treated by paramedics, he stopped breathing, and his pulse could not be detected. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed and there was a return of spontaneous circulation.
At 4.12pm Mr Berry was transported by ambulance to the Maroondah Hospital Emergency Department, arriving at 4.33pm. On arrival, he was again in cardiac arrest.
Despite further resuscitation efforts, Mr Berry could not be saved and he died at 5.49pm.
Post-mortem toxicology revealed a high blood methylamphetamine concentration, indicating the use of methamphetamine drugs.
Despite witnesses describing Berry falling and knocking his head during his arrest at the Boronia residence, according to coroner Paul Lawrie, the grazes and bruising found on Berry’s head during the autopsy were minor injuries and did not contribute to his rapid decline in health.
“I am satisfied that Mr Berry’s head struck the outside wall of the residence during his fall, together with the police members, into the rose bush and garden bed. I am not however satisfied that the contact was particularly forceful,” Coroner Paul Lawrie said.
“I note that, whichever of the injuries on the left side of Mr Berry’s may be attributable to this event, the injuries were superficial.”
Additionally, the coroner found that alternate health outcomes for Berry with earlier medical intervention, can not be said to have improved Berry’s medical condition.
In response to police not fully attending to Berry’s capsicum spray aftercare, recommendations to clarify all police policies and manuals that relate to the aftercare of persons who have been sprayed with capsicum spray were made by Coroner Lawrie to ensure clarity.
