A paramedic bought coffee to “keep him going†before he fell asleep behind the wheel of an ambulance, killing the patient he was transporting, a court has heard.
Matthew James McLean had volunteered for overtime and worked 11 of the 12 days leading up to the crash, which took place on Port Wakefield Road in South Australia about 2.30am on August 16, 2016.
He has pleaded not guilty to one count of causing death by dangerous driving and two counts of causing harm by dangerous driving and is standing trial in the District Court.
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Opening his case on Wednesday, prosecutor Mark Norman SC said the patient, Karen Biddell, 48, had several health issues related to her size and weight and was not able to walk unassisted.
He said Mr McLean was driving Ms Biddell from her home near Port Pirie, north of Adelaide, to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for non-urgent treatment for leg ulcers.
The court heard Ms Biddell’s condition was not life-threatening, and there was no urgency to the situation, but it was simpler to transport her in a bariatric ambulance.
“It was a specially reinforced ambulance … it was designed specifically to carry heavier patients,†Mr Norman said.
Mr Norman said the heater in the ambulance was set to 25 degrees, and McLean had put the ambulance into cruise control.
The five-tonne vehicle veered onto an embankment, which caused it to roll.
Ms Biddell was killed and her daughter was injured, along with another paramedic travelling in the back of the ambulance.
Mr Norman said
He also said an examination of work records would reveal he had volunteered to work overtime and had done 11 shifts in the 12 days preceding.
The trial continues before Judge Sophie David and a jury.