A British police officer who moved to start a new life in Australia has died after suffering a horrific injury at his engagement party.
Liam Trimmer, 29, and his fiancée had organised a small party on Sunday at a property in Western Australia with friends and family.
During the celebrations, Mr Trimmer slipped and cut the carotid artery in his neck – causing massive bleeding.
Friends of Mr Trimmer attempted to save him but they were unable to stop the bleeding, according to Western Australia Police. He died before emergency services arrived at the property.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch said: “Everything was done to try and save him, but it wasn't to be and I know everyone that was involved is really, really hurting at the moment. I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare.”
The circumstances of Mr Trimmer’s death will be investigated at an inquest.
A coroner is expected to make a statement on Mr Trimmer’s death in the coming days.
Col Blanch added: “This extraordinary officer loved helping the community and was a fine example of WA policing and it's just such a tragedy.
“(He was) a very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him, and that's how sad this is. It's important now for us to wrap around each other, to lean on each other.”
Mr Trimmer moved to Australia from the UK in 2013 while still a teenager. He went on to graduate from Joondalup Police Academy and moved to the city of Kalgoorlie, some 370 miles east of Perth, in 2017.
He also appeared on UK TV series Wanted Down Under, where he gave a British teenager advice on life in Australia before they emigrated.
The Western Australia Police Union described Mr Trimmer as a “valued member of the blue family”.
“Every time a death occurs for a police officer, it doesn't matter how, it really does rock the core of the police family,” Union President Paul Gale told local media.
Western Australia’s deputy premier Rita Saffioti described Mr Trimmer’s death as an “awful, awful tragedy”.
She said: “As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA.
“My condolences go out to the family and friends of that particular officer.”
