Floodwater tragedy: Inquest into Ryan Teasdale’s death to begin

A coronial inquest into the death of an 11-year-old boy who was swept into an open drain pipe by floodwaters in 2017 will begin on Wednesday.

Ryan Teasdale died in 2017 after he was swept into a drain pipe by floodwaters.

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A NSW Coroner has recommended state guidelines for safe stormwater inlets be introduced, following the death of a “kind, cheeky and caring” boy at Unanderra.

A coronial inquest into the death of Ryan Teasdale — an 11-year-old swept into a submerged drain pipe by floodwaters in 2017 — was heard at the NSW Coroner’s Court on May 1.

Acting state coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan delivered her findings into the death of the boy, who died at Unanderra’s Riley Park during March that year.

Ryan Teasdale, 11, lost his life after boogie boarding in the heavy rain during March 2017.

A woman cries at the site where Ryan Teasdale was swept into a drain at Unanderra.

She said Ryan was playing on a boogie board in gushing water with his older brother and other friends during a heavy downpour at the time of the incident.

Magistrate O’Sullivan added a video posted on the Illawarra Mercury website weeks prior showed people riding their body boards “down a hill in a park in Unanderra after heavy rain”.

Moments before the tragic incident, she said the children started sliding down a grass hill at the park, and it was believed Ryan had been swept into a stormwater drain.

Ryan Teasdale (right) with mum Melissa and brother Jason.

A frantic, large-scale search involving police and the SES began after Ryan’s older brother returned home without him.

Tragically, his body was found the following day about 800m from the drain, which was not covered by a grate.

In handing down her findings, Magistrate O’Sullivan recommended the NSW Government develop guidelines for the safe design of stormwater inlets to prevent further tragedy.

Ryan Teasdale was swept into a stormwater drain at a reserve in Unanderra.

State Emergency Service crews continue their search for the 11-year-old in 2017.

“[I accept] that Ryan’s death highlights the significant risks that can arise from children coming into close proximity with an open stormwater inlet during heavy flows, whether deliberately without realising the risks,” she said.

“In the absence of signage or some other warnings at the site, children and their parents would not be reasonably on notice as to the dangers posed by such a site during heavy flows particularly when that opening is submerged.”

Magistrate O’Sullivan said following the tragic event, Wollongong City Council took necessary steps to make the drain safe.

“To its credit, the Council has implemented changes to the Riley Park stormwater inlet site to prevent any repetition of the events on 16 March 2017,” she said.

“It has also assessed other possible risk sites and implemented a longer-term plan to assess the safety of numerous other inlet structures.”

Family and friends mourn the death of Ryan Teasdale at a funeral service. Picture: Jenny Evans

Students gather with family and friends of Ryan Teasdale. Picture: Jenny Evans

Magistrate O’Sullivan said it would be “beneficial” to the community to ensure that the tragic circumstances of Ryan’s death were brought to the attention of other councils across the state.

“This is to prompt such entities to give appropriate attention to the safety of existing stormwater inlet structures within their area of responsibility,” she said.

While giving her findings, Magistrate O’Sullivan said it was also “very clear” Ryan was an adored member of his family.

In a moving statement, Ryan’s family described him to the court as caring, generous, kind, happy and one of a kind.

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They spoke about his cheeky personality and how much he made them laugh and smile, as well as his enthusiastic collecting of rocks, crystals and gems, especially in his favourite colour purple.

“The loss of a child is always tragic, and to lose such a treasured person in these circumstances is heartbreaking,” Magistrate O’Sullivan said.

“I hope these findings go some way in recognising and acknowledging Ryan’s very important life, and ultimately help to reduce the risk of a death occurring in similarly tragic circumstances in the future.