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'Unimaginable pain': Doctor's brother speaks out after fatal crash

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Dr. Artyom Avetisyan, a cardiothoracic surgery registrar, died in a car crash in southern Tasmania on June 12.
  • His brother described him as a compassionate colleague who devoted his life to helping others, leaving the family in "unimaginable pain."
  • The incident has prompted calls to review the Health Department's fatigue management policies, as doctors often travel long distances for work.

The family of Dr. Artyom Avetisyan is grappling with "unimaginable pain" following his death in a car crash on June 12 in southern Tasmania. Dr. Avetisyan, a 42-year-old cardiothoracic surgery registrar at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), was returning to Hobart after a shift at the Launceston General Hospital when his car veered off the road in Pontville.

My parents and I are living through unimaginable pain, and this loss has been devastating for all of us.

— Artak AvetisyanDr. Avetisyan's brother, describing the profound grief his family is experiencing.

His brother, Artak Avetisyan, remembered Dr. Avetisyan as a kind and compassionate colleague who "devoted his life to helping others." He added, "My parents and I are living through unimaginable pain, and this loss has been devastating for all of us." The family now faces the difficult task of repatriating his body to his homeland, Armenia, for burial.

Dr. Avetisyan had worked in Tasmania for nearly three years, serving at both the Mersey Community Hospital and the RHH. According to his brother, he had expressed extreme exhaustion in the days leading up to the accident, repeatedly stating his desire for rest.

He was always there for our family, supporting us in every way he could, and we were endlessly proud of him.

— Artak AvetisyanDr. Avetisyan's brother, remembering his dedication to his family.

His tragic death has ignited concerns about working conditions within the Tasmanian Health Department, specifically regarding fatigue management. Frank Nicklason, chair of the RHH Medical Staff Association, highlighted the issue of doctors being required to travel extensively across the state for work. The Australian Medical Association's Tasmanian branch president, Michael Lumsden-Steel, questioned the effectiveness and adherence to the department's fatigue management processes.

On the day of the accident, he was driving back from Launceston General Hospital to Royal Hobart Hospital to finish his work.

— Artak AvetisyanDescribing the circumstances of his brother's fatal car crash.

The Health Department stated that it has fatigue management policies in place and recently reviewed them in consultation with staff. They are currently collating feedback for further development. The coroner is investigating Dr. Avetisyan's death.

During our conversations in the last week before the crash, he sounded extremely exhausted.

— Artak AvetisyanRecalling his brother's state of extreme fatigue prior to the accident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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