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Diabetic driver breaks silence on horror crash
Swale, a type 1 diabetic, experienced 10 low-glucose alarms before losing control and crashing, raising questions about diabetes education and device alert reliability.
- William Herbert Swale, 69, gave evidence at the Coroners Court on March 10, 2026, about the November 5, 2023 crash that killed four people outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel.
- Device records show a 2.9mmol/L reading at 5.17pm and a later post-crash reading under 1.1mmol/L, while the monitoring app logged 10 low-glucose alarms that Swale says he did not hear.
- At 5.21pm CCTV captured Swale entering Winespeake Cellar + Deli and leaving without food, then his white BMW X5 stopped, reversed, and began the downhill run toward the pub.
- A Ballarat magistrate in 2024 struck out all charges against William Swale after finding his actions involuntary; he was compelled to give evidence on March 11, 2026, with the inquest continuing.
- Coroner Dimitra Dubrow will review diabetic driver education and outdoor‑dining safety, with Rishi Nathwani KC stating 'It is hoped than an incident such as this does not occur again'.
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17 Articles
17 Articles
The CourierReposted by 
The Bendigo Advertiser
The Bendigo AdvertiserDiabetic driver speaks out on Daylesford pub tragedy for first time
Diabetic driver William Swale recalls fatal Daylesford crash during coronial inquest, explaining his severe hypoglycemic episode in his testimony.
·Ballarat City, Australia
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The StandardReposted by 
The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times'I am so sorry': diabetic driver speaks over pub crash
A diabetic says he made some "very stupid decisions" as he became hypoglycaemic and did not eat before...
·Warrnambool, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 22%
R 21%
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