Kilvington Grammar pleads guilty to charge over teen’s death on overseas trip

Kilvington Grammar faces a $1.5m fine after admitting it failed to manage the diabetes risk of teenage student Lachlan Cook, who became terminally ill while on a school tour in Vietnam.

Lachlan Cook died on a school trip to Vietnam in 2019. Picture: Facebook

Private school Kilvington Grammar faces a mega $1.5m fine after it pleaded guilty to a single charge over the death of diabetic student Lachlan Cook during an overseas class trip.

The beloved 16-year-old tragically died after he became terminally ill while on an excursion in Vietnam in September 2019.

His Ormond school on Thursday admitted in court that it failed to ensure the teen wasn’t exposed to risk while on the international tour.

Principal Rob French stood in the front row of the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court when asked by Her Honour Rose Falla how the school pleaded to the single charge.

“Guilty, Your Honour,” he replied.

The maximum fine for a body corporate over the Occupational Health and Safety Act breach is 9000 penalty units, calculated at $165.22 per penalty unit at the time of the offence.

That means the school faces the prospect of paying up to $1,486,980, with a judge to later determine the sentence that will be imposed.

The school was ordered to appear in the County Court for a pre-sentencing hearing later this year, where it will ask the judge to take certain issues into account when considering the sentence.

Private school Kilvington Grammar faces a $1.5m fine after it pleaded guilty to a single charge over the death of diabetic student Lachlan Cook.

Lachlan’s loved ones may also choose to give victim impact statements at the hearing.

Mr French confirmed in a written statement handed to media outside court that the school had pleaded guilty to the charge “which relates to ensuring that persons other than employees are not exposed to health and safety risks”.

“As the matter is still before the courts, I am unable to comment further at this stage, other than to say that my thoughts and prayers remain with Lachie’s family and friends, who continue to mourn his tragic loss,” the principal said.

Travel company Worldwide Challenge, which faces three charges over the fatal excursion, is currently considering its position and has been granted a 10 week adjournment of its case.

Lachlan had type 1 diabetes and became unwell, suffering slurred speech and vomiting during the school trip.

Treated for gastro by a staffer from World Challenge, his condition deteriorated and he suffered a heart attack in a Vietnamese hospital before he was flown to an Australian hospital where he later died.

A coronial inquest earlier found Lachlan’s death was preventable, labelling it a “tragedy to all who knew and loved him”.

Kilvington Grammar first faced court in late April for a filing hearing over the charge laid by Worksafe earlier that month.

Its guilty plea came at an early stage, during its second court appearance.

Charge sheets show that the school “failed” to take appropriate steps to manage Lachlan’s diabetes risk while attending the World Challenge tour, and that it could have provided teachers with extra training on type 1 diabetes.

Kilvington Grammar will face the County Court for a plea hearing on December 11.

World Challenge will return to the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a further committal mention on September 20.