Inquest being held into drowning death of Mid-North Coast man Brandon Clark during police chase

The family of a young man who drowned after entering a Mid-North Coast river while being chased by police has turned out in force for an inquest into his death.

Brandon Clark. Contributed

An inquest into the death of a Taree man who drowned after entering the Manning River when his car was stopped by police has heard he was on a “no mercy” wanted suspect list – and had an extreme phobia of the water.

The inquest into the drowning of Brandon Clark, 23, began in Taree Local Court on Tuesday.

Mr Clark died after the sedan he was travelling in was stopped on Commerce St around 3am on Saturday, January 22 last year.

The inquest before Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Erin Kennedy has heard Mr Clark was out with his partner and another person, the driver of the red sedan, about 2.30am.

They were waiting at a Westpac ATM for a Centrelink payment to come through.

Mr Clark was a passenger in the back seat when an interaction with police began, in which he initially gave a false name.

The inquest heard further police checks established he was on bail and in breach of curfew.

Officers called for a caged police vehicle in order to arrest Mr Clark, but he fled on foot toward the banks of the river, near the Martin Bridge.

Magistrate Erin Kennedy at the Manning River just near the Martin Bridge where Brandon Clark entered the water around 3am on the morning of January 22, 2022. His body was discovered by police divers about 10 hours later. Picture: Janine Watson

He went into the water and was seen swimming out toward Little Goat Island.

The inquest heard two officers, including a female probationary constable still wearing her boots, entered the water and swam to where they last spotted Mr Clark.

The river was murky and swollen due to heavy rain and it was high tide at the time.

Police were unable to find Mr Clark so they returned to the bank and phoned in the State Emergency Service (SES) and Marine Rescue NSW.

Brandon’s body was found by police divers 26m away from the river bank in about four metres of water about 10 hours later, the inquest heard.

Not about blame

Ms Kennedy opened the inquest by paying respects to traditional custodians of the land and acknowledging Mr Clark’s family in the room – including his mother Kate Layland and brother Ben Clark.

Mr Clark identified as Aboriginal and a smoking ceremony was held prior to the proceedings.

In his opening remarks, counsel assisting the coroner Jake Harris said the purpose of the inquest was not to lay blame or punish, but to identify the circumstances of the death and see if lessons could be learnt.

Mr Clark’s mother spoke up in the inquest: “It’s too late for that now.”

Family and friends of Brandon Clark including his mother Kate Layland (front left) and brother Ben Clark (behind her) and Ben's wife Ayesha with their baby outside Taree Local Court on the first day of the inquest into Brandon Clark's death. Picture: Janine Watson

Mr Harris said Mr Clark had been a “wanted suspect” on a police list with a “no mercy – take action” directive.

He told the inquest police were conducting a special operation targeting a spike in property crime at the time of Mr Clark’s death.

Mr Harris described it as a “business as usual” operation in which officers carried out normal duties, but extended patrol hours to known hot spots and engaged with wanted persons.

Mr Clark was on bail at the time of his death.

Struggled with ice addiction

Mr Harris told the court about Mr Clark’s upbringing and said he moved in with his mother in 2010, following the death of his father.

The inquest heard Mr Clark left school in year 10 and worked as a casual labourer in fencing, among other roles.

Mr Clark lived with a fear of the water, Mr Harris said, and he referred to a fencing employer who said Mr Clark refused to enter a shallow dam as part of a job.

Magistrate Erin Kennedy turns back as the other parties go down to river's edge on the first day of the inquest into the death of Brandon Clark who drowned in the Manning River in January last year. Picture: Janine Watson

Mr Clark had struggled with an addiction to the drug ice since 2018 and spent six months in rehab at one stage, the inquest was told.

He was diagnosed with ADHD, autism and a mood disorder.

In the months leading up to his death, Mr Clark was prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic medication, but it was not clear if he had been taking them when he died.

Mr Harris said the doctor who examined Brandon’s body found the cause of death was “in keeping with drowning”.

He said the doctor found a “significant” quantity of methamphetamines in Mr Clark’s body, which may have contributed to his decision to enter the water.

The inquest is scheduled to continue in Taree until Friday.

Ms Kennedy told family members “it will be a very hard week for you” and warned the process can seem “quite cold” at times.