The loved ones of rising Manly Sea Eagles star Keith Titmuss are due to finally receive answers about his death, more than three years after he collapsed during pre-season training.
Keith Titmuss lost consciousness immediately after a 139-minute training session at the team’s headquarters on Sydney’s northern beaches on November 23, 2020.
On Friday, deputy state coroner Derek Lee will hand down his findings about the cause of the 20-year-old’s death and the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
The weeks-long coronial inquest heard from several experts who concluded the young forward was suffering from exertional heat stroke when he collapsed and had a seizure.
He had been training for more than two hours in the first pre-season session of the year, which encompassed both an outdoor session and indoor session in a “hot and stuffy” gym.
One of the questions the coroner will consider is whether the training was too demanding for someone of Mr Titmuss’ fitness level and physical frame.
The inquest heard Mr Titmuss had gained four kilos during the off season and his fitness test scores suggested he was “the least fit member of the squad”.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Adam Casselden SC, opined the “unnecessarily and inappropriately tough” session highlighted the need for individualised training programs tailored to each player’s build and fitness level.
Experts told the inquest Mr Titmuss’ higher body mass and lower aerobic fitness levels were risk factors that contributed to him overheating from exertion on the “mild” 24C day.
One of the paramedics who treated the 20-year-old while he was seizing measured his temperature at nearly 42C, which was the highest they’d ever seen.
In his closing submissions, Mr Casselden suggested Coroner Lee should recommend that Manly and the NRL use Mr Titmuss’ tragic death as a case study for education and awareness around heat illnesses.
He made a number of recommendations about improving the NRL heat policy which are tied to an ongoing independent review by two heat illness experts who were commissioned by the NRL.
Mr Casselden suggested clarifying heat guidelines applicable to indoor and outdoor training sessions, as well as altering training sessions based on environmental factors.
He also endorsed a mandated two-week acclimatisation period after players return to training from an off-season and requirement for a medical officer to sign off on training programs.
Another key focus should be implementing screening to determine which players are at risk of heat illness and classifying them to ensure tailored training sessions, Mr Casselden said.
Mr Titmuss’ family asked the NRL be made to enforce mandatory reporting of all heat related injuries in order to create a comprehensive understanding of the pervasiveness of the issue.
His mother Lafo previously said she hoped the inquest could lead to changes for the sport her son loved so much.
“We are encouraged (by) the NRL’s internal review and its commitments to enhancing its knowledge and understanding across all clubs, staff and players,” she said.
“We hope the findings from this inquest will be instructive not just to the NRL, but to sport across Australia and worldwide.”
At the time of his death, Mr Titmuss was on the cusp of his big break after being elevated to the club’s top-30 squad.
He was described throughout the inquest as “kind”, “gentle” and “genuine bloke” who was “hard working” and beloved by his teammates and friends.
Coroner Derek Lee will reveal whether he has adopted the suggestions made to him when he delivers his findings on Friday morning in the NSW State Coroners Court.