Melbourne school and tour operator penalised for student’s death

A Melbourne educational institution and a travel adventure firm have been sentenced and fined a total of $290,000 after a 16-year-old student experienced fatal complications related to diabetes during a school excursion to Vietnam in September 2019.

Both parties were recently sentenced in the Melbourne County Court after having previously pleaded guilty to one charge each of failing to protect individuals other than employees from health and safety hazards.

The educational institution was penalised with a fine of $140,000, while the travel agency incurred a penalty of $150,000.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said the death of the student was a tragic event that could have been prevented.

"Working with children – especially children with health conditions – comes with extremely serious responsibilities," Mr Jenkin said.

"Frustratingly, both the school and the trip provider knew the boy was diabetic and yet didn't take steps to reduce the risk of illness or death by properly supporting their staff in identifying potentially serious health complications."

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