Man died after moving to Australia to start a new life
A young British carpenter died after moving to Australia to start a new life – and was killed by his party lifestyle, an inquest has heard.
Zac Taylor, 28, emigrated to New South Wales with his girlfriend Danielle Treharne to start living their dream together.
The gifted carpenter and builder was about to get his Australian residency after living in the country for seven years.
But just before his residency medical examination Zac was found dead at a party.
An inquest into his death heard carpenter Zac had gone off for a year travelling the world from the family home in Porthcawl, near Bridgend, South Wales.
But he decided to settle in Manly, Sydney, and become an Australian resident.
Mum Jane Taylor said she spoke to her son the night before his death in October last year – and he was “happy, laughing and joking”.
The inquest heard Zac was found unresponsive on a bed by his girlfriend Miss Treharne.
The hearing was told how friends were woken by her frantic screams as Zac lay unconscious.
Geraint Evans, a friend who was at the party, began chest compression in a desperate bid to save Zac.
“Zac liked to take drugs and he’d been taking recreational drugs for a long time,” Geraint said.
He said it “felt like ages” before the ambulance arrived and Zac was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Zac would’ve had some sort of illicit drug and alcohol on the night,” Dr Alan Woo, a pathologist, said.
“I believe this would have played a significant role in how he passed away that night.”
Toxicology reports found non-toxic levels of Xanax and Valium.
Zac’s alcohol levels were 127ml per decilitre – two to three times the New South Wales drink-drive limit.
His parents, who were present for the inquest, suggested said Zac had been living a clean lifestyle “for a long time” as he prepared for an Australian residency medical.
Glamorgan Coroner Graeme Hughes concluded that Zac had died of a “combined multi drug (Oxycodone/Benzodiazepines) and alcohol toxicity” at the inquest in Pontypridd.
He said: “Zac was an intermittent abuser of alcohol and drugs.
“That evening he was taking quantities of alcohol and drugs.
“Thusly it became toxic, causing respiratory depression leading to his death.”
After the hearing, his mother Jane said: “Zac was an amazing person that would go above and beyond to help people family, friends and strangers.
“He genuinely had a heart of gold and he made people feel happy with his smile.
“We and all his family and friends are devastated to lose him. He is and always will be a most wonderful son and brother.”
– Australscope
