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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Family of Perth man raises questions over his Bali death

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The family of Cameron Hughes, a 39-year-old Australian man, is seeking answers regarding his death in an Indonesian immigration detention center in Bali.
  • Hughes, who had lived in Bali for over 15 years, was detained for an alleged visa breach and was found unresponsive hours later.
  • While immigration officials cited cardiac arrest as the preliminary cause of death, his family reports receiving conflicting information and is working with consular staff for clarification.

The family of Cameron Hughes, a 39-year-old Australian man, is "broken" and demanding answers following his death in an immigration detention center in Bali. Hughes, who had resided in Bali for over 15 years, was detained on Friday for an alleged breach of his visa conditions.

Cameron was a beautiful person who loved his family deeply and was a devoted father. He was resilient, hardworking and proud of overcoming challenges to build a good life. Taken too soon doesn't even come close. We are completely broken as a family.

— Cameron Hughes' familyA statement from the family expressing their grief and describing Cameron Hughes.

Bali immigration officials stated that Hughes was found unresponsive in a restroom hours after his detention. They reported that staff initiated first aid, including oxygen, and arranged for an ambulance. Medical personnel provided initial treatment before transferring him to Bali Jimbaran General Hospital, where he was declared dead en route. A preliminary medical assessment suggested cardiac arrest as the cause of death.

During subsequent periodic monitoring via CCTV, officers noticed an anomaly when the detainee remained motionless for an extended period inside the rest room. Staff checked vital signs, administered first aid, including supplemental oxygen, and coordinated with the nearest hospital to dispatch an ambulance.

— Spokesperson for Bali immigration's Ngurah Rai officeDescribing the discovery of Cameron Hughes' condition and the initial response by detention staff.

However, Hughes' family has received conflicting information, raising serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his death. They are seeking detailed explanations regarding his detention and the events that transpired while he was in custody. The family emphasized that Hughes was a devoted father to his eight-year-old son and a resilient, hardworking individual who had built a good life in Bali.

We will be working closely with consular staff to understand what actually happened, and work with them to understand the full extent of the situation.

— Cameron Hughes' familyThe family's commitment to seeking clarity on the events leading to Hughes' death.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the Hughes family. "We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," a department spokesperson said, while noting privacy obligations prevented further comment. The family stated they will work closely with consular staff to fully understand the situation.

We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.

— Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokespersonOffering condolences and confirming consular assistance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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