Maggie Lore’s 2017 death at the Blackmans Bay Blowhole a ‘tragic accident’, coroner finds

The Kingborough Council should have acted immediately to address safety concerns after the 2017 death of a teenager at the Blackmans Bay Blowhole, a coroner says.

Tributes to Maggie Lore at the Blackmans Bay Blowhole after the tragic accident in 2017. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

A TASMANIAN coroner has found the 2017 death of a Richmond teenager at the Blackmans Bay Blowhole was a tragic accident and said Kingborough Council should have acted immediately after the death to address safety concerns at the site.

Maggie Lore, 17, died after falling over the cliff edge onto rocks below on January 28, 2017.

Coroner Olivia McTaggart said Miss Lore had an alcohol reading of 0.154g of alcohol per 100ml of blood and she had consumed cannabis.

“The evidence in this comprehensive investigation satisfies me that Maggie’s death was a tragic accident and that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding it,” Ms McTaggart said.

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Maggie Lore’s death has been ruled a “tragic accident”. Picture: SUPPLIED

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter, who as a councillor in 2017 voted against a motion to defer potential safety measures at the Blowhole until the coronial inquiry was completed, said the council now needed to get on with resolving the safety issues as best it could.

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Cr Winter said the council had found the land, although it has effectively been public land for decades, was privately owned.

“Unfortunately, the owner has not yet agreed to transfer the title, which is the final step for council to take before the actions that should have been taken a long time ago are finally done,” he said.

Kingborough Mayor Dean Winter. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

“I would urge the current owners not to delay any further so that we can finalise this matter.

“The area is a popular, public space on a cliff face, surrounded by residential homes.

“It is not possible to completely eradicate risk of serious injury or death, but we can reduce it with some sensible upgrades.”

In her findings, which were published on Tuesday afternoon, Ms McTaggart said while coronial recommendations and responses to them were very important in preventing deaths and public safety, it was not always possible to respond quickly and organisations were often privy to more information than a coroner had obtained in an investigation.

“Therefore, when an organisation, agency or other body is obliged to assess and respond to adverse events within the remit of its own functions and powers, it should do so in a timely way and without feeling constrained by the need to await the coronial findings,” she said.

“This does not mean that coronial recommendations ultimately made should not be considered and, if appropriate, responded to.

“After Maggie’s death, I would have expected the council to commence a timely examination and assessment of safety in the area concerned, having regard to information held, advice from specialised personnel, and policy and resourcing issues.”

Maggie Lore. Picture: FACEBOOK

Ms McTaggart recommended:

THAT Kingborough Council undertakes or initiates a “comprehensive assessment of management and safety of the public area comprising the blowhole and cliff face area from Blackmans Bay beach to its end point on Talone Rd”, considering changes to the title of the land, and enhanced barriers, signage, lighting, seating and installation of CCTV systems.

THE council then considers the recommendations from the assessment and, if the council deems action is required, it develops a plan to undertake that action.

Ms McTaggart said although the signage warning people of the dangers at the site was inadequate, adequate signage would not have altered Miss Lore’s decision to climb the fence.

“Appropriate signage, however, may deter others from dangerous behaviour near the cliff face,” she said.