Teen who died in binge 'could have survived'

A student who died after being knocked out in an alcohol-fuelled game of bullrush in a bar would probably have survived if an ambulance had been called immediately, the inquest into his death has been told.

An expert witness also criticised a District Court judge for ruling that the barman who served the teenager and his friends should not be charged under the Sale of Liquor Act.

William Cranswick, 19, died from head injuries sustained during the game at The Fitz in Palmerston North, after a drinking session there on September 22, 2003.

It is believed he and three friends drank between 64 and 96 double bourbons on the night.

An ambulance was called at 6.45am the next day, almost nine hours after the incident, by which time Mr Cranswick was again unconscious.

Palmerston North Hospital general surgeon Richard Coutts said the probability of the youth's surviving would have been "very high" if he had gone straight to hospital.

Mr Coutts also cast doubt on District Court Judge Gregory Ross' decision last year that barman Jared Wallace should not be convicted of breaching the Sale of Liquor Act relating to serving intoxicated patrons.

He contradicted Judge Ross' claim that Mr Cranswick and his associates were not obviously drunk. Mr Coutts said his personal view was that Mr Cranswick was intoxicated.

"It beggars belief that anybody could find otherwise."

Coroner Graham Hubbard also recommended bar managers have first aid training.

Judge Ross found Mr Wallace had no case to answer on charges of supplying liquor to intoxicated persons, allowing patrons to become intoxicated, allowing intoxicated persons to remain on the premises and allowing disorderly conduct in the bar.

The judge said that what happened was best described as boisterous, noisy, physical fun, rather than disorderly conduct.

The coroner said liquor laws should be changed to clearly define intoxication levels.

Mr Wallace's general manager's certificate was last month cancelled by the Liquor Licensing Authority and The Fitz no longer supplies large amounts of spirits to patrons.

The Alcohol Advisory Council says bar owners and bar managers have to take responsibility for what happens on their premises.

Chief executive officer Mike MacAvoy said the "big worry" was that Mr Cranswick's behaviour the night before he died was more a symptom of a broader problem of binge drinking across New Zealand than an isolated incident.

- NZPA