Inquest Opens into Tragic Death of 13-Year-Old Boy Found in Skip Bin

A coronial inquest has commenced in Port Lincoln regarding the tragic death of Budda Spencer, a 13-year-old First Nations boy who died while sleeping in an industrial skip bin in May 2021. The boy had been missing for five days prior to the incident, which has raised significant questions about the support provided to him and his family by various agencies.

During the inquest, special counsel Rebecca Schell revealed that Budda was found alongside two friends, aged 11 and 12, who were also under the care of the Department for Child Protection. On the night of the incident, the trio decided to sleep in the bin, hoping to stay awake but ultimately fell asleep due to exhaustion.

As a garbage truck arrived for its regular collection, the boys were tipped along with the contents of the bin. Remarkably, one of the younger boys managed to alert the driver, who stopped just in time. Tragically, Budda died while trying to escape the truck's grasp. Schell described Budda as a “kind, fantastic storyteller who made his friends laugh,” highlighting the deep loss felt by his community.

The inquest is set to explore whether Budda’s family received adequate support leading up to his death. His mother, Deborah Betts, had reportedly reached out to multiple agencies concerning her son’s well-being, indicating ongoing struggles at home. The court learned that Budda was seen at a youth event and had also spent nights at a football grandstand during the five days he was missing.

Family members attended the court proceedings, with Budda's aunt providing comfort to his mother as they faced the painful recounting of events. The inquest is expected to hear testimonies from various organizations, including police and youth services, to determine what interventions could have been taken to better support Budda.

Source: www.abc.net.au