There is no pun intended when saying that it was a grave oversight by either the health authorities or the power company not to report the death of Veave'a Lailai Faumui to the coroner.

Now the coroner has ordered an inquest into the tragic death of the 47-year-old linesman who was electrocuted while working on a power pole in July and succumbed to his injuries on 3 August 2024.

This was a serious accident which questioned the safety procedures of the power company. The Electric Power Corporation linesmen work on power lines that carry thousands of volts of electricity. These men put their lives at risk every day.

For them to return to their families every day, safety procedures have to be adhered. There are ifs and buts, the safety protocols can never be compromised. So, why was this never reported to the police or the coroner?

The doctors and medical staff are obligated under the law to report all serious accidents life-threatening or not. Was there a rush to save the life of this man causing a procedural oversight?

This newspaper has acquired a copy of the Coroner's directive which reveals serious procedural oversights in the handling of Faumui’s case.

The coroner’s order underscores a critical lapse: Faumui was released from medical care without a Coroner's Form being completed—a necessary protocol for reportable deaths.

"The coroner, recently read in the daily newspaper about the death of the above-named deceased reported to have been electrocuted whilst undertaking work on an electrical post," the order noted.

"The coroner has been informed that the deceased died on 3 August 2024 and has already been buried.

"It seems the deceased was released without a Coroner's Form being completed by a medical practitioner for referral to the coroner for orders as this is clearly a reportable case.

"It is also clear that no investigation has been conducted yet by the Police Homicidal team as to the cause and circumstances of the death."

In response to these discrepancies, the coroner has ordered a thorough investigation.

"Police are to immediately investigate this case including obtaining all relevant reports and evidentiary documents, obtaining full medical reports and records of the deceased before and during his admission to the hospital before he passed away.

"The investigation officer is to submit a report as to the person(s) responsible for approving the release of the body of the deceased without reporting this case to the coroner."

The coroner has also directed the Director General of Health to provide a comprehensive report on why the case was not reported as required and to identify those responsible for the oversight.

"All findings and documentation must be submitted to the coroner by noon on 6 September 2024."

There is another report that needs to be made public. The EPC had stated that they would do an investigation to find out what had happened leading to the electrocution. The power lines in the area where Faumui was working were switched off but at that time when he went up, the power came back on.

This report would show if there was negligence on the part of the team that was supposed to keep the power out until all work had been done or if it was a mistake on the part of Faumui. He was an experienced electrical engineer and the leader of his team.

It also points to the fact there could be other reportable deaths that may have the same oversight. One must note that this nation does not have a resident forensic pathologist. So, it is crucially important that all deaths classified as reportable must be reported to all relevant authorities.

The judgment call has to come from the coroner if the death is suspicious or not. The other issue which keeps on being highlighted is the lack of a forensic pathologist. The government needs to fill this post.

On a simpler scale, policies and procedures are essential because they help get things done. They call for structure and direction, imploring processes to move smoothly and highlighting areas for improvement. 

Let us get it right every time.