A diabetes expert has told a Victorian coronial inquiry that William Herbert Swale, the man who crashed into a crowd in Daylesford in 2023 killing five people, likely “needed a meal” to manage a severe hypoglycaemic episode before the collision.
Dr Matthew Cohen from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute said he was also concerned about the 69‑year‑old driver’s memory loss, which may have affected his ability to respond to warning signs.
Swale, who has type‑1 diabetes, gave evidence on Tuesday under court protections preventing his testimony from being used in any future legal proceedings. He crashed his car on November 5, 2023, killing Pratibha Sharma, 44, her daughter Anvi, 9, partner Jatin Kumar, 30, family friend Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11. Six others were injured.
Swale told the court he thinks of the victims “every day”.
Dr Cohen outlined Swale’s treatment history and reviewed records relating to any driver‑specific diabetes education he had received. The inquiry also heard that Swale did not hear 10 alarms from his Libre Sensor blood‑glucose monitoring app.
Swale said the alarms failed to sound through his car’s speakers.
“None of us were aware this failure of the alarms was an issue,” Dr Cohen told the court.
The inquiry continues as it examines whether the fatal crash could have been prevented and what systemic changes may be needed to protect drivers and the public.
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