Coronial inquest starts into death in custody of Simon Hudson, 41, after CBD street fight

A father on his way to pick up his family tried to intervene when a drunk teen picked on someone else – and died two minutes after being arrested.

A father trying to stop an intoxicated teen harming an innocent person at a bus stop died two minutes after police arrested him and placed him in handcuffs, an inquest has heard.

State Coroner David Whittle was told father of one, 41-year-old Simon Hudson, had been walking to the Festival Theatre to meet his wife and child who had been seeing a show on May 27, 2022.

Special Counsel Darren Evans said a 17-year-old boy – intoxicated with nitrous oxide and vodka “going off his chops” – threw a glass bottle at someone as Mr Hudson passed by.

A verbal altercation ensued, with witnesses claiming Mr Hudson told the teen to either “keep it down brother” or “keep your f**king s**t down”, which turned into an almost six-minute brawl on King William St.

The scene of a fight in King William Street, Adelaide, where 41 year old Simon Hudson died. Picture: 7NEWS

Both Mr Hudson and the teen – referred to as only Mr A – traded blows and were arrested upon the arrival of police.

One minute and 17 seconds later, the Salisbury Heights man became unresponsive. Police attempted CPR until paramedics arrived but he was pronounced dead after more than 30 minutes of chest compressions.

Family of Simon Hudson leave the Adelaide Coroner's Court following an inquest into his death in custody. Picture: Leah Smith

Mr Evans said Mr Hudson’s cause of death was difficult to ascertain during his post mortem examination which uncovered more than lethal levels of methamphetamine in his blood.

“ … Mr Hudson’s level of methamphetamine was higher than the average levels found in overdose deaths across three studies of deaths involving only methamphetamine,” Mr Evans said.

“However (the forensic pathologist) says that the cause of death is likely to be due to the combined effects of methamphetamine use, strenuous physical activity and head injury, but that the individual contribution of these factors cannot be ascertained.”

Mr Evans said during his admittance to hospital for a broken thumb, Mr A remained agitated and attempted to remove medical equipment from himself.

Police, Medstar and SA Ambulance officers attended the scene. Picture: 7NEWS

“He was agitated and aggressive and remained fixated on Mr Hudson,” Mr Evans said.

Upon learning of Mr Hudson’s death, the court heard Mr A said it “sounded like a police problem”.

The court heard he was detained under the Mental Health Act and sedated.

Police declined to prosecute Mr A with the summary offence of fighting in a public place following his arrest.

Outside court, Mr Hudson’s father, Philip, told media there was nothing worse than losing a son, and that members of the public should think before they step in.

“Never pick a fight that you can’t finish,” Mr Hudson said.

“He was just a normal person, just a father, you can see that by going down to the theatre with his child.”

Mr White will deliver his findings relating to Mr Hudson’s death at a later date.