Inquest urged to examine safety precautions at national lifesaver titles

An inquest into the death of a 14-year-old Queensland surf lifesaver is due to begin in Brisbane next month.

Matthew Barclay drowned while competing at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships on the Gold Coast in March last year.

His death came just two years after 19-year-old Saxon Bird died competing at the event.

A pre-inquest conference in Brisbane yesterday (13th November) heard Matthew Barclay was among the most accomplished open water swimmers in his age group.

The court heard that if he had been wearing a flotation vest he might have been saved.

Counsel assisting the coroner Peter Johns told the court that next month's inquest should consider whether Surf Life Saving Australia has implemented safety recommendations that the State Coroner made after Saxon Bird's death.

The inquest has been set down for three days.

Image of Matthew Barclay courtesy of Facebook.

28th March 2013 - SURF LIFESAVING PROFESSIONALS REJECT COMPETITION SAFETY GEAR

7th November 2012 - CENTRAL COAST SURF CLUB LEADS THE WAY WITH SAFETY VESTS

3rd April 2012 - SURF LIFESAVING SAFETY EXPERT CALLS FOR EVENT PROBE

29th March 2012 - MISSING COMPETITOR PUTS FOCUS ON SURF LIFE SAVING EVENT SAFETY