A 16-year-old boy tragically lost his life after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol at a family Christmas gathering in Victoria, Australia. The incident, which took place on December 25, 2022, has led to a coroner’s report criticizing the boy’s family for their lack of intervention.
The teenager, referred to as LG in the report, was at his aunt’s house for the holiday celebration. He brought his own alcohol, including 10 vodka cruisers and several canned mixed drinks, and also had access to a fully stocked bar of spirits. The report noted that LG was seen consuming alcohol rapidly through methods known as “snorkeling” and “vortexing,” which accelerate the process of intoxication.
State Coroner Catherine Fitzgerald, who conducted the inquest into the boy’s death, criticized the adults present at the gathering, including the boy’s parents. She stated that their intervention could have prevented the tragic outcome. Fitzgerald emphasized that allowing a minor to consume such a large quantity of alcohol poses significant health risks and should not have occurred.
The report highlighted the lack of supervision over LG’s alcohol consumption and level of intoxication by both his parents and adult family members. Fitzgerald noted that this effectively allowed LG to consume a dangerous amount of alcohol throughout the day and into the evening. She reminded that the boy was only 16 years old, and the sale and supply of alcohol to minors is illegal.
By the evening of the party, LG was heavily intoxicated, vomiting, and unable to walk. Despite his condition, none of the adults present made any significant attempt to intervene. His mother, who had purchased the vodka cruisers for him, merely advised him to “pace himself.”
In the early hours of December 26, LG was helped to a couch on the veranda where he fell asleep. The following morning, his uncle found him appearing grey with foam and vomit on his mouth. Paramedics were called, and the boy was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital. He was pronounced brain dead and died on December 28 from acute alcohol poisoning.
Fitzgerald made the findings of the inquest public to highlight the dangers of minors consuming alcohol and to emphasize the responsibility of adults, particularly parents, who supply alcohol to children.