Inquest investigates death of William George Grimes

After three days of testimony and tears during an inquest investigating the moment a man was tasered after dousing himself in fuel, his grieving family says one painful question remains unanswered.

Now, after the inquest into the death of William George Grimes two years ago, his brother David says there’s still questions that remain and answers may never be possible.

For three days, they sat at the back of the courtroom, listening to the horrific details of their son and brother’s death, hoping for answers.

Now, after the inquest into the death of William George Grimes, his brother David says there’s still questions that remain and answers may never be possible.

Mr Grimes died on March 10, 2020, aged 31, a week after he suffered burns resulting from the incident at Granville State School.

The inquest, overseen by Coroner Terry Ryan in Hervey Bay, heard on March 3, 2020, Mr Grimes ran from the police into the school while holding a jerry can and a lighter and threatening to self-harm.

After the inquest into the death of William George Grimes two years ago, his brother David says there’s still questions that remain and answers may never be possible.

The officers were responding to a triple-0 call made by Mr Grimes’ brother, David, after he left a suicide note and took the jerry can of fuel from the family’s Granville home.

Body cameras worn by police captured footage of the incident, which was played during the inquest.

It showed that after police attempted to speak to Mr Grimes, he had poured fuel from the jerry can over himself.

Constable Lars Gartrell told the inquest he had tasered Mr Grimes, who he believed had a “fully formed intention of setting himself on fire” and he had used his taser in an effort to try and save his life.

Two experts testified at the inquest that they could not determine whether the lighter or the taser ignited the flames that caused extensive burns to Mr Grimes’ body.

Along with Const Gartrell’s testimony, the inquest heard from the three other officers who were at the scene that night, the paramedics to treated him and a taser expert.

William George Grimes died on March 10, 2020, aged 31, a week after he suffered burns resulting from the incident at the school.

Through it all, his family sat and watched the testimony, sometimes through tears, only leaving when the confronting footage of the moment Mr Grimes was burnt was played in court.

David said in the aftermath of the inquest, his family were “emotionally and mentally drained”.

“This week has been one of the hardest to get through,” he said.

“I’m still confused on a few things, a bit angry and I miss him more.”

When asked if the inquest provided answers, he said “yes and no”.

The family know now they may never have an answer as to whether Mr Grimes used the lighter that night or if it was the taser that caused the flames that resulted in his death.

During his time on the stand, Const Gartrell, who was described as “forthcoming and reliable”, said he acted to save Mr Grimes’ life.

But Mr Grimes’ family would like to see officers trained more in the use of a taser and in first aid when treating a person who has received burns.

David would like to see police carry a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher in every police vehicle.

“I would like to see police officers undergo more in-depth training with the weapons they use and also more knowledge about the weapons and how they operate.”

William Grimes with his brother David in their younger years.

David’s emotional statement was read to the inquest on its final day, an endeavour that was aimed at giving insight not into how Mr Grimes had died, but how he had lived and how much he meant to his family.

Mr Grimes had struggled with his mental health for years before that night and had attempted suicide before.

After being left homeless after the end of his relationship, Mr Grimes had been living in Granville with his parents.

In his statement, David said that in his final days, his brother had felt he was a burden to those around him.

“He died a man tortured by the feeling he had failed his family,” David said.

“He could not have been more wrong.

“We all love him and will never forget him.”

His two children, Donte Grimes, 13, and Tarnia-Leigh Pratt, 11, also shared their memories of their beloved father.

In the years since his father’s death, Donte described the struggled to cope with the pain and the feelings of loss he had experienced.

In particular, the knowledge of what he would miss out on experiencing with his father had caused distress, from milestones such as his first day at high school, to just seeing his face and spending time together.

“Life without dad is hard to deal with,” he said.

Tarnia-Leigh’s statement was read to the court.

In it she remembered the moments they had spent together, whether it was visiting her father at his workplace, arguing with her brother about who got to sit next to their dad in the car, having a frozen coke together or going for a walk.

She also spoke of the times she had been picked on at school for no longer having a father and the pain of seeing other dads at their children’s events.

“If he was alive, I know he would be there,” her statement read.

The statement also revealed she regularly visited her dad’s grave.

“It’s not the same, but it’s as close as I can get.”

The inquest has now finished and Mr Ryan will now consider his findings, which will be released at a later time.

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Originally published as Inquest investigates death of William George Grimes