Tragedy of disabled boy and carer raises issues on disability services in Tasmania

Mar 17 2008

Although the search for a 15-year-old autistic boy and his carer who are thought to have drowned at Clifton Beach in Tasmania continues, police are not optimistic.

They believe the six to eight metre swells at the time the two went missing, and the cool water temperatures, means it is unlikely they could have survived more than 12 hours.

While the search has not been called off with one police boat continuing to search the area, it is almost impossible they will be found alive.

When the pair were found to be missing on Saturday an intensive land, air and sea search was mounted with a sea rescue boat, lifesavers on jet skis and foot patrols on the foreshore assisted by family and friends of the missing duo; that has now been scaled down.

Marine Police sergeant John Pratt says in realistic terms it was unlikely the pair would be found alive.

The 15-year-old teenage boy from Hobart was severely disabled and epileptic and he and his carer 27 year old Brendan Dermody disappeared from the northern end of Clifton Beach on Saturday afternoon.

There were no witnesses to the incident, but it is suspected the pair were swept out to sea by a rip.

The boy is under a family services protection order after being placed in care by his mother six months ago when she became unable to cope with him.

The alarm was raised when a 10-year-old autistic boy with the missing pair was found wandering around alone at 4pm on Saturday.

Sergeant Pratt says foot searches will continue for the next day or two with patrols at Goats Beach, Roches Beach and across Frederick Henry Bay to Sloping Main.

The incident has raised the issue of the lack of services and support for autistic children and their families in Tasmania.

It has also been queried whether one carer was enough to supervise two severely disabled children on a beach, but children's commissioner Paul Mason says that will rest with the coroner.

Health authorities will soon have access to an interim report inquiring into the appropriateness of keeping seven children in long-term in respite care; the two boys with the carer were part of this inquiry.

Premier Paul Lennon says the tragic event should not be used for political gain and the processes will be reviewed.

The Health Minister says the Government is currently reviewing disability services and children's therapy services and the review process should be allowed to run their course.