Version of events by last man to see Samuel Brown alive is ‘inconsistent’ — investigator

THE inquest into the death of popular Burleigh Bombers player Samuel Brown continues as investigators try to unravel the mystery behind what happened on the night.

THE lead forensic crash investigator into the death of popular Burleigh Bombers player Samuel Brown has told an inquest the version of events provided by the man who last saw him was “inconsistent, incoherent and vague”.

Mr Brown, 20, was found on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach with severe head injuries in the early hours of November 25, 2012.

He later died in hospital from his injuries.

Funeral for Samuel Timothy Brown held at the Dream Centre Church at Carrara. Tim and Leanne Brown follow the funeral car.

A coronial inquest started this morning to determine what happened to Mr Brown after he left an “uneventful” birthday party less than a kilometre away from where he was found just before 2.30am.

Since his death police had charged, in 2015, taxi driver Justin Hartley with failing to stop but those charges were later dropped.

The inquest heard in the hours leading up to Mr Brown being found he had been drinking at a birthday party when he and a friend Robert Cosgrove decided to head into Broadbeach.

The pair tried to get onto a bus when they were refused due to their level of intoxication.

Southport Court

Mr Cosgrove walked towards Broadbeach when he lost Mr Brown.

Police forensic crash investigator Senior Constable Steve Cornish said Mr Cosgrove’s explanation of events had gaps.

“He was inconsistent, incoherent and vague,” he said.

“He provides at least four different versions around what there particular movements were.”

Friends of Mr Brown told the inquest Mr Cosgrove had not spoken at length about what had happened that night.

Funeral for Samuel Timothy Brown held at the Dream Centre Church at Carrara . Copy Pictures of Samuel that where on display during funeral .

Snr Constable Cornish told the inquest he spent months trying to piece together what had happened but concluded Mr Brown was not struck by a car.

He said there were no injuries on Mr Brown’s feet despite the fact he was not wearing shoes.

Snr Const. Cornish said there was also no debris on the road or road rash on Mr Brown.

He said none of the main factors which occurred in pedestrian accidents were present at the scene — something he had never seen before.

The inquest continues.