Outback Ballooning can face charges over death of Sydney woman Stephanie Bernoth, High Court rules
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The High Court has ruled Central Australian hot air balloon operators Outback Ballooning can be prosecuted under Northern Territory laws over the death of a woman in 2013.
Sydney woman Stephanie Bernoth, 35, was fatally injured when her scarf was sucked into the inflation fan as she was boarding the balloon for a flight near Alice Springs.
Northern Territory authorities were blocked from charging the company over the death by the courts, which found any alleged offence was not covered by local law but rather governed by Commonwealth safety laws.
Today the High Court allowed an appeal by the NT Work Health Authority that they should be allowed to pursue charges the company failed its duty of care.
More to come.
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