Two Tasmanian men were so intoxicated that they don’t remember a fellow patron being assaulted at a nightclub before drowning on Hobart’s waterfront, and inquest has heard.
Jarrod Davies, who was in Tasmania from Gippsland to undertake diving training, had been drinking at Obar on Hobart’s waterfront in February 2020 when he was headbutted and punched by another man.
Jarrod was subsequently escorted out by security, before falling off a nearby wharf and drowning.
Jarrod, who was 27 at the time, had bought 9 Vodka Redbulls at another venue before heading to Obar and buying 14 spirit-based drinks.
It is understood some of those drinks were shared, but it is believed Davies drank in excess of 10 of them – possibly up to 20.
The coroner is investigating whether Obar staff were serving people ‘who were drunk’.
Pub Banc Group, the owners of Hobart’s Observatory Bar (Obar), insists the 5 separate bartenders who served Jarrod were ‘individually’ responsibly serving alcohol, but say they are “uncomfortable” with the idea of someone consuming 20 drinks.
Pub Banc Director Ian Vaughan says if someone had recognized that Davies had been assaulted, immediate action would have been taken to ensure his well-being – including being taken to the first aid room rather than being ejected.
The inquest has been adjourned.
