Death ruled ‘accidental’
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Updated: July 10, 2009 4:32 PM
PORT HARDY - A prayer and song for reconciliation began a week-long coroner’s inquest into the Mar. 14, 2008 death of 48-year-old Debra Marie Coon.
“Ms. Coon was in medical distress while in the custody of Port Hardy RCMP,” said Coroner Jeff Dolan in a press release. “Emergency medical services transported her to the Port Hardy hospital. Later that day, she was transported to Victoria General Hospital, where despite medical treatment, she died.”
Ms. Coon was the second prisoner to die after being in Port Hardy cells that month and the third that year. She was originally jailed for causing a disturbance at the hospital, said a report at the time.
The inquest had a unique start June 29, with Alex Nelson drumming while family members told a packed house more about their loved one.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Litwin, testified Ms. Coon died from sub-dermal hematoma, bleeding around the brain caused by blunt force, the jury was told.
A video from the RCMP cell played while Dixie Travis, the day matron, testified. Ms. Coon seemed fine until the morning of Mar. 15, 2008, when she fell four times in an hour, said Travis. “The last time she hit her head really badly and could not get up.” Officers immediately took Ms. Coon to Port Hardy hospital, Travis said.
Dr. Granger Avery said he had been Ms. Coon’s family doctor, first in Kingcome Inlet and then in Port McNeill.
“She was a very pleasant lady, easy to get along with, but her life was punctuated with addictions, alcohol and perhaps drugs.”
When he was asked for suggestions on what the coroner’s jury might recommend, Avery suggested a local treatment centre for alcohol.
“Addiction, particularly alcohol, is the biggest medical problem in the North Island ... that needs to be recognized and accepted by everyone,” he said. “We need a multi-level treatment centre in the North Island, that would provide variable care, depending on the patient’s needs.”
RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Stewart, who testified later that day, agreed with Avery.
“We’ve had three inquests and alcohol played a part in every death,” said Stewart. “We have 1,000 prisoners per year and 50 per cent of them are related to alcohol. This is a social issue that we have to come to grips with and a sobering centre would be beneficial.”
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