‘Incalculable loss’: NSW bushfire inquest to examine deaths of 25 people

An inquest into the ‘incalculable loss’ of 25 people who died in the Black Summer bushfires has begun in Sydney.

An inquest will examine the “incalculable loss” of 25 people, including seven firefighters, who died as the devastating Black Summer bushfires swept through NSW.

The 2019-20 bushfire season was described as “without doubt one of the most catastrophic on record” by counsel assisting the coroner Adam Casselden SC in his opening address to the NSW Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.

He said the inquest would hear evidence where strategic back burning and breakdowns in communication between fire agencies was “directly linked” to some instances of fires starting out or people losing their lives.

The hearings will likely see a “robust exchange of views” on what caused the out-of-control fires raging over an eight month season and what could have prevented the trail of destruction left behind.

Across the state 5.52 million hectares were burned, 2476 houses and three schools destroyed, more than 800 million animals killed and some $1.88 billion in damage done, according to estimated insurance claims.

“These figures are important but they cannot capture the human tragedy that sits behind the numbers,” Mr Casselden said.

The season was ‘without a doubt one of the most catastrophic on record’, the Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Mooy / Getty Images

Mr Casselden noted communities hit hard by bushfires had to deal with the onset of Covid-19 shortly after the season ended, and in some cases, with flooding later in the year as well.

“Thus whilst Covid-19 has affected all of us, it is particularly important to recognise the people who had to try and take shelter during the 2020 lockdown in foreign accommodation,” he said.

“Who bunkered down with family or friends, or who camped out in tents or caravans or sheds or makeshift shelters on their property, while trying to work out how to rebuild their lives, where to rebuild their lives, and how to keep safe from a pandemic.”

He said the bushfire season “challenged pre-existing understanding” about how bushfires burn and spread in Australia.

The “extreme dryness” of fuel after a prolonged drought, ignition points in remote locations, and the significant progression of fires through the night and early morning were among the unusual factors of the extreme season, he said.

Father and firefighter Geoffrey Keaton from the Horsley Park Brigade was killed when a burning tree struck his vehicle. Picture: RFS

Andrew O’Dwyer died in the same accident while he and Keaton were on their way to battle an out-of-control blaze. Picture: RFS

The tragic deaths of Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, while fighting the Green Wattle Creek fire near Buxton, are among those to be examined by state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan.

The two men, both fathers of young children, were killed when a burning tree fell onto the truck they were travelling in on December 19, 2019.

American trio Ian McBeth, Paul Hudson and Rick DeMorgan Jr died in a plane crash as they helped battle the bushfires from the air with water bombing.

“There are families in America who will sadly follow these proceedings from the other side of the world,” Mr Casselden said.

Volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul, 28, was killed when a freak weather event flipped his truck at the Green Valley fire east of Albury.

Father and son Patrick and Robert Salway, who died defending their home in Cobargo, and newlyweds Gwen Hyde and Bob Lindsay, are also among the 25 people whose deaths will be combed over at the inquest.

Magistrate O’Sullivan will also examine the deaths of Julie Fletcher, George Nole, Christopher Savva, Barry Parsons, Vivien Chaplain, Russell Bratby, Colin Burns, John Smith, Richard Steele, Michael Campbell, David Harrison, Ross Rixon, Michael Clarke, Laurence Andrew and John Butler.

Wednesday’s hearing was live-streamed on YouTube, with family members unable to attend court due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

September hearings slated for Cooma and Queanbeyan will instead be held at the Lidcombe court due to the restrictions.

The inquest will resume on September 6.