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Phil Campbell / Stuff
Simon Dickie died after a fall in December 2017 at his home in Taupō, after reuniting with his medal-winning rowing team.
A former Olympian died in an “avoidable accident”, falling from a narrow second-floor bedroom balcony that had no barrier.
The balcony was out of compliance with the building code and that had tragic consequences for 66-year-old Simon Charles Dickie, a coroner ruled.
The former rowing boatswain fell nearly ten feet during the night of December 12, 2017, the night after meeting his medal-winning team.
His partner of 20 years, Adrienne Walker, found him at the entrance of his home in Taupō the next morning.
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“This was a preventable accident,” Coroner Michael Robb wrote in his report.
“The reason why a security barrier is required on a second floor balcony is obvious and the tragic consequences for Simon and his family highlight the importance of ensuring compliance.”
“Simon was a sociable man who was committed to a wide group of friends and associates. His sudden death has been a shock to his family and friends and we miss him deeply. “
The day before, Dickie had enjoyed an annual meeting with his old rowing team, which won gold at the 1968 Olympics.
AP
A gold medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico was one of Simon Dickie’s accomplishments as a helmsman. In the photo, the New Zealand four with cox (above) come to a halt after beating the East German crew by nearly two lengths to win a gold medal.
Dickie was also on medal-winning teams in 1972 and 1976.
He and his old rowing team and his partners had enjoyed a day of fishing, before dinner and a few drinks at Dickie’s.
They had discussed plans for their next meeting and Dickie’s business.
Dickie and Walker went to bed a little after 11pm and he was planning to start early the next morning.
“At some point, and for some unknown reason, Simon got up during the night and went out onto the balcony,” Coroner Robb wrote.
“The balcony was small, it was only 95 cm wide. I believe that, without a security barrier, the balcony not only did not comply with the building code, but also presented a significant risk ”.
Police found a wrinkled rug on the bedroom floor by the balcony.
“The toxicology results confirmed that Simon had been drinking alcohol and was suffering from a moderate level of intoxication,” wrote Robb. “He probably tripped or lost his balance and fell off the balcony, sustaining a fatal head injury in the fall.”
Her partner, Walker, woke up later than usual the next day, around 8:30 a.m. M., And noticed that Dickie hadn’t brought him his usual morning coffee.
After a search, she found him lying in the driveway below his bedroom balcony, motionless and with blood on the back of his head.
The balcony was one of the home’s construction sites that was authorized in December 2003, but never received its final inspection.
Since it was nearly ten feet above the ground, it would have needed a balustrade or barrier to comply with building code, Coroner Robb wrote.
But a code of compliance certificate, which requires board inspection, was never requested or issued.
The certificate must be requested within two years of consent.
The Taupō district council sent Dickie two reminders in 2006, but no response was recorded.
In July 2007, the council rejected the code of compliance.
