General News
31 January, 2023
Coroner hands down report into drowning
A CORONER has recommended a floodway on Maddens Bridge Road be revised after the death of a 20 year-old woman in 2021.
A CORONER has recommended a floodway on Maddens Bridge Road be revised after the death of a 20 year-old woman in 2021.
Nina Barake was reported missing after leaving her Simpson home on June 9 2021 to drive to her workplace in Glenfyne and never arriving.
Her body was located in her vehicle in floodwaters two days later. Ms Barake’s dogs were also found deceased in the vehicle.
Coroner David Ryan released his findings into the death on January 16.
“This tragic case provides a salutary reminder to the community of the dangers of crossing floodways when they are covered by water,” he said.
“Vehicles can become buoyant driving through water at a relatively shallow depth.
“This can occur even with experienced drivers in vehicles built for offroad conditions.”
Mr Ryan said Ms Barake was “warmly remembered as a fun-loving, caring and adventurous young woman”.
“I convey my sincere condolences to Nina’s family for their loss,” he said.
In his report he states a local farmer, John Plozza, observed indicators at the floodway over Curdies River on Maddens Bridge Road disclosed a flood level of about 1.5 – 1.6 metres.
“He made the observation while assisting a male motorist whose car had become submerged while attempting to cross the floodway,” Mr Ryan said.
“Another witness also observed that submerged vehicle at about 10am to 10.30am and notes that the indicators recorded a depth of 2.2 metres.
“Mr Plozza did not see any sign of Nina’s vehicle at this time.
“He recalled that in the 26 years he had been living at his property, there “has been about 15 occasions where either a vehicle has been washed off the bridge or I’ve had to come down and tow them out”.”
Ms Barake was reported missing at about 4.30pm on June 9.
She was located in the rear passenger section of her vehicle 65 metres downstream from the floodway at about 8.30am on June 11.
Mr Ryan said after reviewing the evidence he was satisfied Ms Barake was travelling west on Maddens Bridge Road in her vehicle at about 8.40am when she attempted to cross the floodway over Curdies River.
He believed at this time, the depth of the flood water was likely to have been “considerable but less than the 1.5-1.6 metres observed by Mr Plozza at around 9.45am.
“I find that her vehicle became buoyant in the floodwater and was washed off the floodway and downstream into Curdies River,” Mr Ryan said.
“Tragically, Nina was unable to exit her vehicle and has drowned after it was submerged and the cabin filled with water.
“Having considered all of the circumstances, I am satisfied that Nina misjudged the strength of the floodwaters and the depth at which her vehicle would become buoyant when crossing the floodway over Curdies River at Maddens Bridge Road.
“I consider that the warning signs and depth indicators on approach to the floodway over the Curdies River were appropriate, clear and visible.”
However, Mr Ryan recommended the Corangamite Shire Council review the floodway over Curdies River on Maddens Bridge Road to consider the “feasibility, safety and utility of other construction options or enhancements, in light of the traffic use and frequency of flooding”.