By Neena Bhandari, IANS,
Sydney : The chief of the Australian Army is being sued over the death of 13-year-old Nathan Francis, who died after suffering a peanut allergy attack last year at a cadet camp.
Francis, who was on a cadet camp in the Wombat State Forest March 30 last year, died at the Royal Children’s Hospital three hours after partly eating a peanut-based food pouch supplied by the army.
According to reports, Francis’ mother had notified the army cadet unit that her son was allergic to peanut.
The Commonwealth occupational health and safety authority (Comcare) has stated in a writ lodged Friday that Francis reacted immediately and spat out something.
It is seeking the enforcement of a pecuniary penalty against the army chief in his capacity as the employer of members of the Australian Army Cadets, according to Australian Associated Press (AAP).
It is alleged that breaches include the supply and consumption of ration packs, risks to health and safety, supervision and breaches of duty. Each breach carries penalties of A$242,000, reports AAP.