Coroners Court investigates death of Pearcedale teen George Diamond after boxing injury

The family of a Melbourne teen who died after his return to boxing are thankful an investigation will now look into the events that followed their boy’s initial head injury.

18 year-old George Diamond died in February 2019 months after he suffered a blow to the head while boxing at a gym.

The family of a teenager who died from brain injuries months after he was struck at a boxing gym have thanked a Coroner for reopening an investigation into the events preceding his death.

Pearcedale teen George Diamond was just 18 when — after being cleared to return to boxing following a concussion — he passed out after a sparring session and later died at The Alfred hospital from a brain haemorrhage.

The Coroners Court of Victoria will now investigate the events following Mr Diamond’s initial injury, the decisions by multiple parties including medical professionals and gyms to determine, if possible, what happened.

Despite being cleared to spar after a head injury, Mr Diamond died weeks later with a brain haemorrhage

During a directions hearing on Friday, the court heard the apprentice builder suffered head trauma while sparring at a Cranbourne West gym in October 2018, and in the days and weeks after he sought medical treatment after his symptoms persisted.

But despite being cleared to return to training in early 2019, in a matter of weeks he would be dead.

State Coroner Judge John Cain opened the proceedings and acknowledged Mr Diamond’s family, extending his sympathy for the “tragic loss” of their son and brother.

He addressed the family directly before George’s father expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you from all of us, we are just so grateful,” he said.

Legal representatives for multiple parties including medical organisations who treated George, gyms where he trained, and a state government department discussed the scope of the proceedings and what evidence would be heard.

Judge Cain said the investigation may assess matters such as discrepancies in evidence, Mr Diamond’s medical treatment, the appropriateness of him sparring, and the compliance and enforcement of boxing.

Mr Cain noted the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions — a party in the proceeding — was conducting a review into the rules of conduct for professional boxing in Victoria and asked whether, upon his previous recommendation, the scope would extend to amateur boxing and martial arts.

Legal counsel for the department said a response regarding scope was due by March 13 and the review was expected to be finalised by mid-2024.

The court heard parties did not yet have the full Coronial brief and matters regarding scope and evidence were yet to be determined.

The next hearing date was listed for June 3.