Inquest into the death of Andrew Keith Seton

Case Number: 2022/0266756

Findings Date: 12 September 2024

Magistrate: Teresa O'Sullivan

CORONIAL LAW | circumstances of accident and death, survivability, response by NSW Police Force to report of person missing, search and rescue, search urgency assessment forms, regulatory and advisory regime relating to backcountry skiing in Kosciuszko National Park, trip intention forms

Responses

Recommendations

To the NSW Commissioner of Police 

1. I recommend that consideration be given to providing further guidance on the completion of Search Urgency Assessment forms that is relevant to operations within the Kosciuszko National Park. In particular: 

a. what conditions, features or terrain are considered hazardous; and

b. what equipment and supplies are considered adequate for different activities.

2. I recommend that consideration be given to whether further training or instruction is required, regarding the need to advise members of the public who report a person missing that they should attend a police station to do so.

To the Commander of the Monaro Police District 

1. I recommend that the Monaro Police District, the Missing Persons Registry and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, as appropriate, continue to liaise regarding efforts to further explore: 

a. ways to promote the use of trip intention forms for persons entering the backcountry areas; and

b. technology which could be used to record a person's entry into and progress through backcountry areas.