Coroner finds Leonard Collett's fatal hospital fall was preventable

Tuesday 11 November 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Tue 11 Nov 2025, 7:32am

In this story Ian Telford

A coroner has ruled that the death of Leonard Collett was foreseeable and preventable. The 78-year-old man died following a fall in the Taranaki Base Hospital Emergency Department in July 2020. The coroner warned that the risk of catastrophic events at the facility remains high.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldTue 11 Nov 2025, 6:25am

   Coroner finds Leonard Collett’s fatal fall in Taranaki Base Hospital ED was ‘foreseeable and preventable’ (opens in new tab)

2. RNZTue 11 Nov 2025, 7:09am

   'Well-liked' former publican dies in 'preventable' fall at crowded Taranaki Base Hospital ED (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZTue 11 Nov 2025, 7:32am

   'Well-liked' former publican dies in 'preventable' fall at crowded ED (opens in new tab)