An elderly man who stepped out in front of a truck at a busy Burnie intersection last year was battling “cognitive impairment” prior to his death.
Paul Thomas Gillam, 73, died when he walked onto the Bass Highway at the intersection with Wilson Street on February 24, 2023.
Coroner Olivia McTaggart, in her findings, said that Gillam’s declining cognitive state, including almost no short-term memory and limited insight, may have caused him to lose awareness of his surroundings.
She said he was attempting to cross the road “when it was not safe to do so” at a part of the intersection with no pedestrian crossing and no footpath on the other side.
“[The truck driver] took evasive action to try and avoid Mr Gillam by partially mounting the curb of the highway on the right-hand side of the right lane,” McTaggart said, adding the attempt was unsuccessful.
“Mr Gillam was hit by the truck, with his head impacting the left side of the trailer and suffering massive injuries. He was dragged approximately 32 metres by the truck’s forward momentum. He died immediately.”
The “experienced” driver was found to be doing below the speed limit and was paying attention prior to the incident.
“Mr Gillam was known to cross the same section of the highway regularly without regard for his own safety,” McTaggart said.
“None of the evidence in the comprehensive investigation suggests that Mr Gillam had a history of suicidal thoughts or that he purposely walked into the truck with the intention of taking his own life.”
Coroner McTaggart ruled the death “unintentional” and said she was satisfied that the weather conditions, road conditions, or alcohol and drugs were not factors in the incident.
