Mum’s warning for Schoolies after phone pics give clue to how son died

A grieving mother who lost her son during a tragedy in Surfers Paradise 10 years ago has warned parents and Schoolies to be wary of an ever-present danger. Read her story

A grieving mother has backed authorities’ warning to Schoolies over balcony safety – urging them not to take risks during this year’s celebrations.

It comes 10 years after Kerry Luke’s son Tamati died after falling 10 storeys from a high-rise balcony in Surfers Paradise. And all these years later she admits the pain of losing her eldest son hasn’t left her, rather she has “learnt to live with it”.

Schoolies Week has been rocked by a raft of balcony falls and deaths in the past, including Melbourne’s Charlie Scott, 18, who died when he fell from the Hilton Hotel in 2019.

Ms Luke wants the height of balcony railings increased and balconies locked during events like Schoolies so other families don’t have to go through the pain she did.

Kerry Luke lost her son Tamati Luke 10 years ago.

Tamati was holidaying on the Coast, drinking with friends at the Marriott Resort when the 25-year-old’s life was tragically cut short.

“The night was unwinding and they were getting ready to go to bed,” Ms Luke said.

“No one actually saw him go over. The only thing we can see is on his phone, you can tell he’d been taking photos leaning over the balcony – taking photos of different things.

“I had my first grandson born two weeks ago.

“Tamati never got to experience having children or getting married.”

Tamati’s death was ruled an accident. Ms Luke has pushed for increased balcony safety measures and urged school leavers to look out for each other.

Kerry Luke with her late son Tamati. Picture: supplied

“There are people out there who have these losses and they never get over it. It just ruins their life and that’s the tragedy,” she said.

“Educate your kids before they go on Schoolies week and let them know the dangers, because you don’t get a second chance.

“Just stay off the balconies. Go party, have a good time, but you don’t need to end up on a balcony being silly. And if you start to see it happening, defuse the situation, get people away from the balcony and into a room.

“I would hate to think of any other mother, brother, sister, father going through what we had to go through.

“I would love more than anything to kiss my son, hug him and tell him that I love him.”

Tamati Luke

Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon says he is not “naive” to believe that young people would not partake in risky behaviours during the week.

“What we say is there will be some people who may make minor mistakes, but as long as there’s a mate to be there to make sure they get home safe or, if not, a police officer or an ambulance or a Red Frog we’ll make sure they’re safe,” he said.

Bond University development psychology Professor Ahmed Moustafa said Schoolies presents a perfect storm of factors.

Prof Moustafa said a combination of groups of young people away from home, potentially for the first time, fuelled by excitement, alcohol and potentially illicit drugs was problematic.

“They often come from another place, they’re in a new environment, they’re in a group and more likely to explore, do novel things, take risks,” he said.

“(Incidents) happen in the heat of the moment. You have a bunch of kids with drugs and alcohol involved … you become an impulsive person.

“It can spiral out of control.”

Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Prof Moustafa said new environments “illicit more risk-taking behaviour” and “at that age group membership becomes really important”.

“You try to connect with friends and impress them – and you tend to do more risk-taking behaviours,” he said.

Prof Moustafa was asked whether balconies should be locked to prevent further tragedies. He supported the idea, but questioned the logistics.

“If locking balconies is doable, it’s a good first step,” he said.

“But I don’t know the exact processes needed to be able to do that.”

Prof Moustafa stopped short of calling for an end to Schoolies, but suggested more research on psychological factors around deaths.

Schoolies at Surfers Paradise on The Gold Coast. Picture: Jason O'Brien

Discrimination laws make locking balconies a tricky proposition, according to the Office of Fair Trading.

“Accommodation providers must provide school leavers the accommodation that was advertised to them and paid for by them,” a statement read.

“Under Body Corporate laws the body corporate has control over common property.

“However, it cannot unilaterally take action such as locking doors to restrict access to areas within a lot. Queensland’s anti-discrimination law makes it unlawful to discriminate against persons based on age, including when they seek accommodation.

“This means if a building manager wishes to apply house rules, age limits, levy a bond, restrict balcony access, etc, these must apply to all other guests throughout the year.”

It was suggested school leavers could be encouraged to “rearrange furniture to discourage balcony use” and “make available a key upon request to guests to allow them to self-secure the balcony.”