Gold Coast Schoolies: Balcony safety a major concern after second falling death in Surfers Paradise

A Schoolies safety boss says organisers can’t lock balconies to keep school-leavers safe, less than a week after another falling death on the Gold Coast. Here’s why.

A SCHOOLIES safety boss says organisers “cannot lock balconies” to prevent falls during this year’s celebrations.

The warning comes as 18,000 school-leavers are expected to flood the city this weekend, almost a year on from the tragic death of Hamish Bidgood during the 2018 Schoolies festival on the Gold Coast.

The 18-year-old Sydney student fell to his death from the balcony of a Surf Regency Holiday Apartments room after a night out with friends.

Hamish Bidgood (pictured left) died after falling from a balcony last year.

Bidgood had been ingesting nitrous oxide or “nangs” after a night of drinking, and was believed to be hallucinating when he pushed past friends and climbed over the balcony railing.

In the early hours of Monday this week a 22-year-old New Zealand man died when he plunged from a balcony in Surfers Paradise. Police said the man, Liam Kearns, fell from the 15th floor of the Breakers North building about 12.30am.

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In light of the tragic accident, officers issued a plea for the thousands of schoolies about to arrive on the Gold Coast to take care.

Gold Coast Safer Schoolies chairman Mark Reaburn said yesterday he could not recommend any policies to hotels taking in schoolies over the next two weeks.

“You can’t lock balconies,” he said.

“Schoolies are entitled to book. That’s really a matter for the Department of Fair Trading, and they’ve made it clear you can’t treat schoolies any differently from other members of the public.

Shocking photos from last year’s celebrations showed Schoolies leaning over to talk to friends on a different floor.

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“Schoolies isn’t a compulsory response. The kids don’t have to come and the parents don’t have to make the kids come.

“If the kids come, we’re here to respond to them being here.”

Stratacare Australia managing director Jim O’Hare urged apartment owners to crack down on dangerous balcony behaviour.

He said bodies corporate, individual owners and building managers “must takes steps” to mitigate risks throughout Schoolies celebrations.

“Balcony safety must be made a priority, especially with such a tragic reminder this week of how engaging in risky behaviour on balconies can have fatal consequences,” he said.

“Short of locking balconies – which is certainly an option – school-leavers must clearly understand that if any misbehaviour on balconies occurs, then they will be evicted.”

Schoolies numbers this year have decreased, which organisers said they anticipated due to a smaller graduate cohort in Queensland.

Mark Reaburn has said he cannot recommend policies to hotels. Picture: Jerad Williams

Numbers have fallen by 10 per cent in the first week, but have jumped by 12 per cent in the second week, when NSW schoolies arrive.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman urged schoolies to behave responsibly.

“Police have the powers to act on any incident that has the potential to cause harm,” she said.

“Irresponsible behaviour on balconies could lead to eviction from the property and even arrest.

“Schoolies (festival) is a time for celebration and one poor choice could significantly impact your future.”