Inquest Highlights Police Failings in the Death of John Makai

John Makai, a 58-year-old father of ten, died in September 2023 after being taken into police custody following a family-violence incident in Sunbury, north-west of Melbourne. The Victorian coroner’s court heard that Makai collapsed while being moved from his home to a police van, was dragged from the vehicle into a cell, and remained in a “coma position” for roughly five hours before an ambulance was finally called. Paramedics later identified a non-survivable brain injury, and Makai died in hospital two days later.

The Guardian

• Initial incident: Makai’s son, Terewa, spilled a drink; a confrontation ensued, during which Makian struck his son, who then punched Makai back. Both arrived at the scene bleeding.

The Guardian

• Transport: Police decided to issue a directive rather than arrest Makai and moved him to Broadmeadows police station, expecting an ambulance to meet them. The 20-minute drive saw Makai’s condition deteriorate, and no ambulance was present on arrival.

The Guardian

• At the station: Makai was dragged from the van, his head striking the wall and door, and placed face-down in a cell. He was not medically assessed, nor was a detainee risk assessment completed or forwarded to health services. Officers failed to perform physical checks or rouse him at least every 30 minutes, as required by policy.

The Guardian

• Emergency response: The Triple Zero call-operator cancelled an ambulance request multiple times, further delaying medical care.

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Sgt Matthew Wilson-Hawe admitted he did not assist Makai when he collapsed, describing his own reaction as “not proud.” Stella Gold SC, counsel for Makai’s family, labeled the manner of dragging Makai from the van as “inappropriate and undignified.” The coroner, Paresa Spanos, ruled that footage of the incident will not be released to the media. Disciplinary action has been taken against involved officers, and police have pledged to work with the coroner to improve custodial health procedures.

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• “It is always a tragedy when a person passes away as John did in connection with their time in police custody, and it’s… a situation that Victoria police and all its members and employees work tirelessly to avoid,” — Andrew Imrie, the lawyer for the chief commissioner, Mike Bush

The Guardian

• “A deterioration in John’s conscious state at or around the time he arrived at Broadmeadows police station, and the need for urgent medical attention that represented, should have been identified and acted upon,” — Andrew Imrie, the lawyer for the chief commissioner, Mike Bush

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• “I’m not proud that I didn’t run in and help him,” — Sgt Matthew Wilson-Hawe

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• “The manner in which John was dragged out of the vehicle, hitting his head and carried prone down the hallway, was inappropriate and undignified,” — Stella Gold SC

The Guardian