A recent inquest into the dying of an Indigenous teenager will search to learn the way he ended up on prepare tracks in regional NSW greater than three a long time in the past.
Mark Anthony Haines’ physique was discovered south of Tamworth on January 16, 1988.
An post-mortem confirmed the Gomeroi 17-year-old died from a traumatic head damage. An inquest into his dying returned open findings in 1989.
A stolen automobile was discovered close by and police concluded {the teenager} had laid on the tracks both intentionally or in a dazed state, one thing his household has by no means believed.
His sister Lorna Haines stated the household hoped this inquest can be their “path to justice”.
“My household have been ready 36 lengthy years to seek out out the reality about what occurred that evening,” she stated forward of the inquest.
“We hope that the coroner won’t relaxation till all of the information come out. All we wish is accountability and reality.”
The newest inquest started in Tamworth on Monday, earlier than deputy state coroner Harriet Grahame.
Straight addressing Mr Haines’ household in courtroom, Ms Grahame stated she was taking the duty of discovering out what occurred to {the teenager} “extraordinarily critically”.
“I understand how lengthy you have got been working in direction of at the present time and I acknowledge your perseverance and resilience,” she stated.
In his opening assertion, counsel aiding the coroner Chris McGorey stated it was probably somebody had extra details about Mark’s dying.
“If there are individuals on the market ready to help, it’s of important significance to Mark and his household and the neighborhood and to permit some dedication as to precisely what occurred,” he stated.
Mr McGorey stated Mark was discovered on the tracks simply after 6am on January 16 by the crew of a prepare passing by the world.
He was final seen by his girlfriend about 3:30am.
Mr McGorey stated one of many key questions for the inquest was how Mark got here to be on the tracks.
He stated the earlier inquest heard Mark’s footwear have been clear, regardless of the bottom being muddy from rain that night.
“If Mark accessed the prepare line throughout this climate, wouldn’t it be cheap to anticipate some marks on his garments,” Mr McGorey stated.
