Cale Bonner: Viral footage emerges after teen’s tragic death

A viral video posted on social media has quickly gained almost half a million views, protesting issues with Warwick Hospital’s mental health services in the wake of a teen’s death.

Viral footage has emerged on social media of activists protesting issues with Warwick Hospital’s mental health services, quickly racking up hundreds of thousands of views.

The video, posted five days ago by indigenous activist Toshii D Habibi, has accrued more than 440,000 views.

The footage shows activists scarring trees – a traditional Indigenous cultural ritual – outside Warwick Hospital, while shouting “justice for brother Cale” in relation to the death of a Warwick teenager in March last year.

Cale Bonner, a 16-year-old boy, died tragically in a horror crash at Glengallan, 24 hours after his family claimed he was denied mental health care at Warwick Hospital.

Throughout the video, the activists can be seen removing bark from the tree, which is covered in handprints, while smearing dirt on the open face of the tree.

“This is what we do when we scar up our trees and we’re doing this one here because it’s outside the hospital (because) these fellas what they did with mental health for our brother,” one activist says while demonstrating the scarring process.

“We’re still waiting for the inquest.”

Viral footage has emerged of activists calling out alleged issues with Warwick Hospital mental health services which they claim is related to the tragic death of 16-year-old Cale Bonner (Photo: TikTok /@karyuligi)

The footage also claimed previously sacred trees had been cut down, which Mr Habibi blamed the council for.

In a statement, Southern Downs Regional Council said the council had not removed any trees in this area.

A spokesperson added the trees were the responsibility of Transport and Main Roads, as they were situated on a road reserve.

Warwick Police Inspector David Preston confirmed local police had been made aware of the footage and said if police received a complaint they would have to look into the matter further

“I can understand what people are going through and what was a traumatic thing for the family, they’re expressing their feelings about a loved one, so it is something we can understand and appreciate,” he said.

“There are ways they can mark funeral sites with permission of council and local property owners but that is a process they have to go through.”

The Department of Transport and Main Roads have been approached for comment.

Originally published as Cale Bonner: Viral footage emerges after teen’s tragic death