A German backpacker tragically lost her life in a shocking accident involving a ride-on mower, but now it seems that her boyfriend may have committed a serious offense at the time of her death. Jennifer Kohl, 27, had been in Australia on a working holiday with her partner, Paul Tunik, 27, when the incident occurred. The couple had been working on an avocado farm near the Gold Coast when the tragedy took place. After a thorough investigation, a coroner has found evidence suggesting that Mr. Tunik may have committed an indictable offense leading to Ms. Kohl’s death.
According to the coroner’s findings, Ms. Kohl and Mr. Tunik had completed their work for the day and decided to engage in sexual activity in an unused and secluded area of the property. Mr. Tunik then convinced Ms. Kohl to ride back with him on the ride-on mower, which had a trailer attached to it, as a romantic gesture. Tragically, the vehicle overturned on a steep slope, crushing Ms. Kohl and causing her death.
The coroner, Carol Lee, expressed her suspicion that an indictable offense had been committed by Mr. Tunik. However, he did not provide evidence or submit a submission during the inquest. Mr. Tunik’s limited English and unfamiliarity with emergency procedures also caused a delay in emergency services reaching the scene.
The coroner also determined that Ms. Kohl’s death was a result of traumatic asphyxia, and that the farm’s owners had provided adequate instruction and supervision for the use of the mower and trailer. The owners reported that Mr. Tunik had admitted to coaxing Ms. Kohl onto the mower despite her objections.
When the findings were released, Ms. Kohl’s mother, Cornelia Kohl, who had traveled from Germany for the inquest, issued a stern message to her daughter’s boyfriend through a social media platform. She warned him of the consequences if he were to ever return to Australia.
Following this tragic accident, the coroner recommended that the Department of Home Affairs establish a comprehensive website to educate holiday workers about workplace health and safety, as well as their statutory rights in Australia.
The loss of Jennifer Kohl has deeply affected her family, especially her mother, who made the emotional journey to attend the inquest. The coroner expressed her condolences to the family, recognizing the impact of the accident.
This shocking incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and being cautious in all activities, especially when operating machinery. The investigation into the potential indictable offense by Ms. Kohl’s boyfriend continues, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over this already tragic event.
