Who was Geoff Vezey? Timothy Fehring's teacher DIES from 'psychiatric injury' after seeing schoolboy's death
The devastated family of the late assistant principal, who saw one of his students die during a school trip to Europe in 2019 before suffering a deadly heart attack himself, has reportedly blamed Victoria's Education Department for the tragedy. Assistant principal Geoff Vezey’s family is suing the state of Victoria, saying he couldn’t bear the trauma of Timothy Fehring's death and died in April 2021.
Fehring, a student of Blackburn High School in Melbourne, was on a European excursion with 16 other students and two teachers when he died on June 28, 2019. It has been said that the 15-year-old had complained of not feeling well the day he landed in Berlin on June 23. He also sent messages to his mother Barbara, saying, “I almost threw up and am working on getting better so I can have a better time. I'm going to sleep like a baby because it might be exhaustion. I have not slept in hours and I always feel dizzy.”
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But his illness was dismissed as "homesickness" and this 'diagnosis' was supported by the doctor when he examined Fehring. The coroner's report claimed that an infection spread in his lungs and his blood that probably stopped his heart from working. The report noted: “Dr Schrems should have conducted a physical examination, including taking of blood pressure or use of a stethoscope, for a first-time patient prior to writing a script for anxiety medication.”
After Fehring’s demise, his devastated mother said, “The people in charge thought he was homesick but he wasn't. He couldn't wait to go away, but he didn't like making a fuss. He was a very fit, healthy and energetic kid who was always happy and always wanted to make those around him happy.” As per reports, Vezey was with him when Fehring died. He found him unconscious and covered in vomit and blood outside a doctor's office, where he took him for check up, in Vienna. The State Coroner's report now reveal the distressed messages he sent to another teacher. "Please call me," he sent before noting, "Are you outside the entrance? Tim is extremely unwell… I am on the first floor outside the doctors. I cannot wake him."
When his colleague replied: "Do you want an ambulance?" he said, "I need medical people. He has vomited all over himself. Blood is coming out of his nose and I cannot wake him. He is in a trance." Later, he added: "The doctor is helping me now," before being told an ambulance was also coming. The school boy was immediately taken to the hospital but couldn’t be saved and around two years later, Vezey also died at his Ringwood East home.
According to the 52-year-old man’s family, he suffered an “acute psychiatric injury” after Fehring's shocking death. They have also reportedly claimed in the suit that Vezey found it impossible to continue living normally after his student’s death and suffered depression, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and panic attacks. The court documents added that the acute psychiatric injury “was a significant contributing factor” in claiming his life. First, Vezey’s family tried to get compensation from the state but it was denied in January, forcing them to knock on the door of the County Court for a trial by a judge.
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Meanwhile, it has recently been reported that after the shocking details about Fehring's death came out, change in policies regarding international school trip was advised. The coroner recommended “the Department of Education to increase its ratios on overseas trips so students were better resourced in the event of illness, and that the department review its excursions policy,” news.com.au reported. The report added that the suggestions have been considered.