Ben Lambourn’s parents win right to access CCTV footage after schoolboy’s death at Woree
Previously withheld CCTV vision leading up to the death of 15-year-old boy while at school will be provided to his grieving parents after the minister intervened.
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Reason has prevailed in the case of a tragic schoolyard death earlier this year, now previously withheld CCTV vision leading up to the medical episode will be provided to grieving parents following ministerial intervention.
Heartbroken parents Eloise and Frank Lambourn have been grappling with the sudden death of their son following a medical incident at the Woree State High School.
As reported by the Cairns Post at the time, Benjamin Lambourn died shortly after being rushed to hospital from the playground of the Cairns school on March 25, but what led to the incident and exactly how he died has been shrouded in mystery.
“We are not trying to blame anyone, we just want answers,” Ms Lambourn said in May.
Fifteen-year-old Ben had been in and out of hospital since he was two-years-old when it was discovered he suffered from an inoperable brain tumour.
The Lambourns conceded there was a chance Ben “could go” at any time given the complex nature of his medical issues but they said they just wanted to see for themselves how the situation unfolded to allow them closure and an ability to move on.
The parents pleaded with Education Queensland to release CCTV but were told due to privacy considerations of other children the video would not be shared.
Education Queensland previously told the Cairns Post privacy laws prohibit the release of video that in this case may inadvertently contain vision of other students.
The parents were instructed the only way to see the video was to apply for access under Right to Information.
The family were in the process of doing that on Friday when Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek extended an olive branch.
“Ben’s family deserves sensitivity, compassion and the utmost respect during this incredibly tragic time, which is why I have asked my department to ensure the CCTV is provided as quickly as possible, while still protecting the privacy of other students and staff,” he said.
While the parents said the CCTV release was a positive step forward, Mr Lambourn also noted actions by the Education Department he said exacerbated the heartbreak.
“It has been extremely unreasonable, it’s disgusting,” he said.
“It tears you apart.”
Ms Lambourn said she didn’t know what to expect from the video but regardless of what they see on the screen it was a critical step in the grieving process for the family.
“It might just be the answer we need to move on but we won’t know until we have seen it,” she said.
“I’m as nervous as hell but it has to be done.”
On Monday Eloise and Frank Lambourn will be invited to a government building on Sheridan St where there will be a screening of the video footage.
A team of support personnel will be present to guide the parents through what is expected to be a traumatic experience for the Edmonton couple.
Redacted video files in which the faces of other children will be blurred out will then be provided to the parents, according to the Minister’s office.
The Lambourns still intend to push for a full coronial investigation into their son’s death.
Originally published as Ben Lambourn’s parents win right to access CCTV footage after schoolboy’s death at Woree
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