The Coroners Court of Victoria has begun its formal inquiry into the 2023 Royal Daylesford Hotel tragedy, hearing emotional testimony from the driver at the center of the incident that claimed five lives.
The inquest, presided over by Coroner Dimitra Dubrow, is tasked with investigating the circumstances of the November 5, 2023, crash to determine if such deaths can be prevented in the future. It follows the 2024 dismissal of criminal charges against the driver, William Swale, after a magistrate found he had acted involuntarily due to a medical episode.
“I am so sorry”
Giving evidence on the opening day, Mr. Swale, 69, issued a apology to the families of Pratibha Sharma, 44, her daughter Anvi, 9, partner Jatin Kumar, 30, and their friends Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11.
“This was an incomprehensible tragedy… I acknowledge that I will have traumatised the families enormously,” Mr. Swale told the court. “I am certainly so sorry… I’m devastated that I was even part of it.”
A “Shutting Down” of the Brain
The court heard detailed evidence regarding Mr. Swale’s medical state in the hour leading up to the 6:07 pm crash. A long-term Type-1 diabetic, Mr. Swale testified that his blood glucose levels had plummeted to 2.9 mmol/L by 5:17 pm—a state of severe hypoglycemia.
Key points from the testimony included:
- Missed Alarms: Counsel assisting the Coroner noted that Mr. Swale’s monitoring device registered 10 alarms for low glucose levels before the crash. Mr. Swale testified he did not hear them, potentially because his phone was connected to his car via Bluetooth.
- The “Alice in Wonderland” Effect: Mr. Swale described feeling “vague” and “dark,” stating his brain was “shutting down.” He admitted to making “very stupid decisions,” such as failing to eat fruit and nuts he had in his car after being turned away from a busy local deli.
- Lack of Recent Training: The court heard that while Mr. Swale was diagnosed in 1994, he had not received formal diabetes education or driving-specific training in the three decades since.
Focus on Prevention
Unlike a criminal trial, the Coroner cannot assign guilt or hand down a sentence. Instead, this nine-day hearing is focused on systemic safety.
Coroner Dubrow indicated the inquest will examine:
- Diabetic Driver Management: Whether current education and monitoring requirements for insulin-dependent drivers are sufficient.
- Notification Systems: How glucose monitoring apps and vehicle Bluetooth systems interact.
- Outdoor Dining Safety: The physical protection of roadside dining areas. Since the accident, Hepburn Shire Council has already installed large boulders at the site as a proactive safety measure.
The inquest continues this week, with evidence expected from medical experts and Mr. Swale’s endocrinologist.
