New information results in postponement of coroner’s inquest into ER death
Global News
A coroner's inquest into the death of a patient who died in a New Brunswick emergency room last summer has been postponed, the province announced Friday.
A coroner’s inquest into the death of a patient who died in a New Brunswick emergency room last summer has been postponed, the province announced Friday.
The province had just announced the coroner’s inquest into the death of Donald Darrell Mesheau earlier this week. It was originally scheduled for May 29 to June 2 at the University of New Brunswick Law School.
In a release, the province said new information was brought forward that required the investigation into Mesheau’s death to be reopened.
“As per the Coroners Act, an inquest cannot go forward while a death is still being investigated,” said chief coroner Heather Brander in the release. “We understand how difficult this is for Mr. Mesheau’s family and the inquest will be rescheduled as soon possible.
“As this is an active investigation, there will be no further comment.”
Mesheau died in the waiting room at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital on July 12, 2022.
In July 2022, a witness who was in the ER on the night of Mesheau’s death, told Global News he saw a person who appeared to be in physical discomfort sitting in a wheelchair.
An hour had passed before a nurse emerged to check on that particular patient. That’s when the witness, John Staples, noticed he wasn’t breathing.