A Melbourne private school has been fined $140,000 following the tragic death of one of its students, Lachlan Cook, during a class trip to Vietnam. The 16-year-old, who had been managing his type-1 diabetes independently, fell severely ill during the trip, and subsequent missteps by the school staff led to dire consequences.
According to reports, Lachlan began experiencing symptoms on September 26, 2019, when he started vomiting and complaining of abdominal pain shortly after traveling to Hue from Hoi An. Instead of receiving timely medical attention, he was taken to the hospital only after he became unresponsive, nearly 24 hours after first showing symptoms. He was later transferred back to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, where his life support was switched off weeks later.
During the recent court proceedings, Judge Angela Ellis revealed many failings contributed to Lachlan's death, stating the risk could have been significantly reduced had the staff been properly trained and if his diabetes management plan had been effectively communicated and implemented. "Attempts were made to put safeguards around Lachlan's medical condition, but they were not adequate," Judge Ellis explained. "There was no adequate training provided for the trip leaders. The trip leader did not even disclose his diabetes when reporting his symptoms. This lack of communication was pivotal."
Kilivington Grammar School and its travel partner, World Challenge Expeditions, both pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws. The fines were part of the court's broader recognition of their failures to provide appropriate care and respond adequately to Lachlan's deteriorative condition. World Challenge was fined $150,000, bringing the total penalties to nearly $300,000.
During the sentencing hearing, Lachlan's mother, Kirsten McMahon, shared her deep grief, stating, "We were a family of four. We're now a family of three. The impact he's had on us and on so many people, you can't take it away." Her words echoed the sentiment of unthinkable loss many families face due to inadequate care for children with health conditions.
Both Kilvington Grammar and World Challenge have expressed their remorse and accepted responsibility for their roles, pledging to implement new safety procedures to protect other students. Principal Rob French stated, "We have implemented many restorative practices since 2019 and will continue to apply these to assure the safety of our students during both domestic and international trips." This includes annual training for staff on managing various health conditions, including diabetes.
WorkSafe Victoria's executive health and safety director, Sam Jenkin, remarked on the grave responsibility schools hold when working with children, especially those with health concerns. He stated, "Frustration lingers as both the school and the trip provider knew Lachlan was diabetic and failed to take steps to reduce the risk of illness or death."
According to the coroner's 2023 findings, Lachlan's death was declared preventable, prompting charges against both the school and travel company. The ruling has since spurred discussions on the need for stricter guidelines and training protocols within educational organizations for the welfare of students on school trips.
Since this tragedy, the community has rallied around Lachlan's family, with the school even erecting a plaque and raising funds for diabetes awareness to honor his memory. The principal emphasized the importance of remembering Lachlan as not just another statistic, but as the extraordinary young man he was. "He lived with courage and determination, displayed leadership qualities, and was immensely respected by his peers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, and we will always honor his memory."
Though nothing can change the events surrounding Lachlan's untimely death, the hope is to initiate changes across schools to prevent future tragedies of this nature. The impact of Lachlan's death has been deeply felt by friends, family, and the school community, which remains fervent about championing health and safety for all future school trips. This pivotal case serves as both a solemn reminder and a rallying cry for more rigorous health management procedures for students with pre-existing conditions.