Inquest investigates death of William George Grimes

A burnt man’s heartbreaking question to paramedics has been revealed as an inquest into his death, after a standoff with police, continues in Hervey Bay. *Distressing content

An inquest is being held into the death of Maryborough's William George Grimes.

As paramedics worked to save his life the night he was engulfed by flames on the grounds of a Maryborough school, William George Grimes asked one question: “Am I going to die?”

An inquest into the death of Mr Grimes is currently underway in Hervey Bay, examining the circumstances surrounding the tragic events.

Mr Grimes suffered extensive burns during the incident at Granville State School on March 3, 2020 and died in hospital in Brisbane a week later.

On the night of the incident, Mr Grimes ran from the police into the school grounds while holding a jerry can and a lighter and threatening to self-harm.

The officers were responding to a triple-0 call made by Mr Grimes’ brother, David, after he left a suicide note and took the jerry can of fuel from the family’s Granville home.

Body cameras worn by police captured footage of the incident, which was played during the inquest on Tuesday.

It showed that after police attempted to speak to Mr Grimes, he had poured fuel from the jerry can over himself.

An inquest is being held into the death of Maryborough's William George Grimes.

Constable Lars Gartrell told the inquest on Tuesday he had tasered Mr Grimes, who he believed had a “fully formed intention of setting himself on fire” and he had used his taser in an effort to try and save his life.

Experts testified on Wednesday, telling the inquest it was not possible to know if the lighter Mr Grimes had been holding or the taser ignited the flames.

But before they gave evidence, the two paramedics who assisted Mr Grimes in the wake of the incident took the stand.

Queensland Ambulance Service paramedic Kellie Bliesner spoke of being tasked to the scene after being advised the patient was on fire.

She said upon seeing Mr Grimes, she noticed he had suffered severe burns to the majority of his body.

Ms Bliesner said she had started applying water to his burns and saw one of the taser barbs on his body.

Mr Grimes had a high level of consciousness, the court heard and was alert and talking, telling paramedics he had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening.

He was placed on a stretcher and taken to meet up with a critical care paramedic, the inquest heard.

Also testifying was paramedic Jenine Edge.

She described being told by police to be careful of taser barbs as she assisted Mr Grimes.

Ms Edge recalled Mr Grimes talking as he was treated, saying he had “done something stupid” and he was afraid he would die.

She said he’d asked, “am I going to die?”

William George Grimes died on March 10, 2020, aged 31, a week after he suffered burns resulting from the incident at the school.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Inspector Daren Mallouk told the inquest the lighter and the taser were both possible ignition sources for the fire.

He said he had watched the footage in order to try to determine how the blaze had started and, after watching “frame by frame” he had determined the taser could have caused it and the lighter in Mr Grimes’ hand could also have been the source.

He could not say which was more likely than the other.

Forensic scientist Sergeant Mandy Watene offered a similar opinion, telling the inquest it was not possible to see from the footage whether the taser or the lighter was more likely to have caused the flames.

Mr Grimes’ mental health care plan and treatment prior to his death will be examined.

The inquest heard Mr Grimes was schizophrenic and had been suicidal in the past, including a previous attempt.

Coroner Terry Ryan will also consider whether the training and equipment provided to the officers in responding to a similar incident was sufficient.

The inquest will continue on Thursday.

Do you need help?

Lifeline 13 11 14

headspace 1800 650 890

beyondblue 1300 224 636

Suicide callback service 1300 659 467