’A bottle of water and point them towards a taxi’: Ex Observatory bartender tells of no help for patrons kicked out

A former bartender has told a coroner about the dangers of “pre-loading” on alcohol – and also the risks of turfing seriously drunk patrons out onto the Hobart waterfront — in the wake of a young man’s death.

Jarrod Davies was found dead in the River Derwent.

A former Observatory Bar bartender has told a coroner about the dangers of “pre-loading” on alcohol – and also the risks of turfing seriously drunk patrons out onto the Hobart waterfront.

On Tuesday, Andrew Goss gave evidence at an inquest into the death of Victorian man, Jarrod Robert Davies, whose body was found in the River Derwent in February 2020.

Mr Goss was one of five Observatory bartenders who served Mr Davies during the course of the evening before he was “savagely” assaulted and then removed from the venue.

He said while he didn’t remember serving Mr Davies on the night in question, he wouldn’t have served him if he’d perceived him to be intoxicated – and instead would have offered him water.

During his evidence, Mr Goss told Coroner Robert Webster he was concerned with the lack of support given to patrons required to leave the venue.

“There was no real after-care situation for intoxicated people once they leave the venue. While we do have a duty of care, there’s not much we can do once they leave,” he said.

“There’s no place for intoxicated people to go.

“There’s no fencing around the wharf to stop people from falling in.

“There’s a lot of things that could be done but nothing has really happened.”

He said Observatory and other waterfront venues shouldn’t be held individually responsible for waterfront safety for intoxicated people, but there should be council input and better coordination between nightspots.

Jarrod Davies, 27, was found deceased in the River Derwent. Picture: Supplied

“All we can do is give them a bottle of water and point them towards a taxi,” Mr Goss said.

He also spoke about the dangers of “pre-loading”, where patrons drank alcohol before going out so they didn’t need to spend as much money.

“Sometimes they can appear sober when they get in, and then it hits their system once they’re inside,” he said.

While no evidence has been provided about whether or not Mr Davies “pre-loaded”, the inquest heard on Monday that he’d apparently drunk vodka Red Bulls at another venue before arriving at Observatory Bar.

A number of other Observatory bar staff and security guards gave evidence on Tuesday about the club’s procedures when dealing with intoxicated patrons who could pose a risk to themselves or others.

Former Observatory crowd controller Mudin Ahmed said on the night in question, he removed about 10 patrons from the venue – which he said was “very normal” for a Saturday night.

Mr Davies’ parents are attending the week-long inquest, which is also examining the death of Melbourne cardiothoracic trainee Robert Bo Xu.

Dr Xu died in an unrelated incident at Victoria Dock during November 2019.

Mr Davies was a 27-year-old diving instructor and was visiting Tasmania to undertake a marine-related course.

The inquest continues Wednesday.

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