A 23-year-old father of two who drowned in a river on the NSW Mid North Coast while being chased by police had a phobia of water, an inquest has heard.
WARNING: This story contains an image and details of an Aboriginal person who has died.
Brandon Clark drowned in the early hours of the morning on January 22 last year, after he entered the Manning River at Taree on high tide while police were pursuing him on foot.
Deputy state coroner Erin Kennedy is investigating what caused Mr Clark's death, whether the conduct of the officers involved factored into Mr Clark's death, and whether it is necessary to make recommendations to NSW Police.
The family of Brandon Clark attended Taree local court for the start of a four-day inquest into the 23-year-old's death on Tuesday.
During opening statements, Jake Harris, Counsel-assisting the Coroner, told the court police were attempting to arrest Mr Clark for a breach of his bail conditions on the morning of his death.
He said the chase with police began after officers tried to arrest Mr Clark, who fled from the back seat of a car, which had been pulled over by police for an unrelated matter.
Evidence from police stated Mr Clark ran toward the Martin Bridge, which crosses the Manning River, and went down a ramp towards the water, crossed a strip of grass to reach the riverbank and entered the water.
'Well-known water phobia', inquest hears
Mr Harris told the court Mr Clark had a well-known phobia of water and that he had never taken swimming lessons.
He said police accounts also stated Mr Clark didn't initially appear to be in distress on the day of the incident, and that he appeared to be a competent swimmer.
But moments later, the officers jumped in the water after Mr Clark started to struggle but they were unable to reach him before he disappeared beneath the surface.
Police divers located Mr Clark's body about 1pm the same day around 26 metres away from the riverbank.
Mr Clark's toxicology report showed he had methamphetamines and cannabinoids in his system that the court heard may have influenced his decision to get in the water.
Magistrate Kennedy was taken to the riverbank where Mr Clark entered the water as part of the proceedings.
The police officer who ran after Mr Clark, who cannot be named for legal reasons, shed tears when he recounted the moment the 23-year-old entered the water.
He said he tried to warn Mr Clark that there were bull sharks in the water.
"[Mr Clark] just kept running … he didn't look back he just stepped off … it was like he just continued running out into the air then into the water," the officer said.
"I just wanted to get him out of the water."
The officer confirmed he was not wearing a bodyworn camera during the incident, saying it is a "personal choice" for officers to wear them.
Police witnesses were questioned at the inquest about police bodyworn cameras, which were at the time of the incident listed as "not available".
His mother, Kate Leland was hopeful the inquest helps to prevent a similar incident.
"He wasn't a bad kid … it could have been done differently and he'd be alive today," she said.
The inquest is scheduled to conclude on Friday.
