A prestigious Melbourne private school has pleaded guilty to a criminal offence after a diabetic student fell ill during a school trip to Vietnam.
Lachlan Cook, 16, was on a school trip for a few days in September 2019 when he began vomiting and experiencing stomach pains.
His condition deteriorated dramatically and he was rushed to a local hospital, but was later flown back home after falling into a coma.
Lachlan did not regain consciousness and died at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
A coroner’s inquest last year determined the cause of death was severe diabetic ketoacidosis, a preventable complication of type 1 diabetes.
In April, Victoria’s workplace regulator WorkSafe filed a charge against Kilvington Grammar School over Lachlan’s death.
The case returned to Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, where lawyer Eliza Holt, acting on behalf of the school, said the matter had been resolved and Kilvington Grammar would plead guilty.
Director Rob French then stood up and replied, “Guilty, Your Honor,” when questioned by Judge Rosemary Falla.
Lachlan Cook, 16, was a few days into a school trip in September 2019 when he began vomiting and experiencing stomach pains.
In April, Victoria’s workplace regulator WorkSafe filed a charge against Kilvington Grammar School over Lachlan’s death.
The school pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
According to the details of the allegation, Kilvington Grammar could have provided teachers attending the trip with additional training and knowledge about managing Lachlan and action plans, to reduce the risk of his illness or death.
In a statement, Kilvington Grammar School headmaster Rob French confirmed the school had pleaded guilty to breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
“As the matter is still before the courts, I am unable to comment further at this time except to say that my thoughts and prayers are with Lachie’s family and friends who continue to grieve his tragic loss,” he said.
Kilvington High School will return to the County Court for a pre-sentence hearing on December 11.
The company that organised the trip, World Challenge Expeditions Pty Ltd, faces three charges of a similar nature.
The court requested additional time to review the case and will return to court on September 20.
