A UK man who relocated to Australia with the intention of pursuing a career as a police officer has passed away following a fall at an engagement celebration.
Liam Trimmer, aged 29, suffered a severed carotid artery in his neck during the incident at his residence in Western Australia (WA) on Sunday.
Despite efforts from family members to resuscitate him, Mr. Trimmer passed away shortly before paramedics reached the scene, according to authorities.
His colleagues described the senior constable as an “exceptional officer” who was deeply committed to serving and assisting his community.
“This is a really tough time for WA Police,” Commissioner Col Blanch told local media on Monday, describing Mr Trimmer as a “capable young man with his whole life ahead of him”.
“Everything was done to try and save him, but it wasn’t to be and I know everyone that was involved is really, really hurting at the moment… I think they wish they could just wake up from this nightmare,” Mr Blanch told 9 News Perth.
Police refrained from disclosing further details about the fall, stating that the case would be subject to investigation by a coroner.
Carotid arteries, positioned on both sides of the neck, serve as crucial vessels supplying blood to the brain.
The UK Foreign Office informed the BBC that its representatives in Perth were liaising with WA Police.
Mr. Trimmer relocated from the UK to Australia in 2013 to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Upon completing his academy training in 2017, he relocated to Kalgoorlie, approximately 600km (370 miles) east of Perth, where he served in police gang crime and tactical response units.
Local media depicted him as a “role model” for the police force, as he had encouraged other young UK citizens to move to WA. This reference stems from his appearance on the BBC series “Wanted Down Under,” which explores the experiences of prospective migrants.
The state’s police union also extended its sympathies.