The second day of the inquest into the dying of Samwel Uko started with testimony from two instructional assistants who labored with Uko throughout his highschool days and tried to assist him on his remaining day.
Uko, 20, was pronounced useless when his physique was present in Wascana Lake in Might of 2020.
In keeping with the forensic pathologist who carried out Uko’s post-mortem, the reason for dying was drowning.
He went to the Regina Normal Hospital for psychological well being points twice on the day he died. The second time, he was escorted out by safety earlier than receiving therapy.
The primary instructional assistant to testify, Amanda Johansen, stated she labored with Uko beginning in grade 9 when he wanted assist with math. She stated they remained shut till he graduated.
She described him as laid again, simple going and stated he at all times had a smile on his face.
“He simply needed to play soccer and he knew that he wanted these programs and that he wanted to go so he may go on to college and play soccer,” she stated.
She stated they misplaced contact as soon as Uko moved to Saskatchewan after commencement, however they remained associates on Fb.
On the day he died, she stated he was posting on Fb that he wanted assist. She stated it stood out.
“He didn’t submit so much on Fb,” she stated.
Johansen stated she and different former instructional assistants who labored with Uko made a number of makes an attempt to contact Uko via messaging and calls.
“We knew he wanted assist. We knew one thing wasn’t proper,” she stated.
She stated they tried calling his associates, household and police to get a way of the place he was and what was happening.
Finally, she stated she obtained a name from a coroner saying Uko had gotten into the lake and died.
Throughout her testimony, she apologized to the household and stated she want she may have helped extra.
“We did every part we may. We known as all people we knew. We have now to dwell with that,” she stated.
She stated she wished somebody would have checked out his cellphone when he was on the hospital.
“If they might have checked out his cellphone, they might have seen all of our messages. All of our calls,” she stated. “They might have simply phoned any of us.”
She stated she feels the hospital ought to have carried out extra to assist him when he was there.
“I simply don’t assume he was taken severely,” she stated.
The second witness to testify on Tuesday was Nancy Klop, one other instructional assistant who labored with Uko throughout highschool.
“Samwel was undoubtedly one in all our favourites,” she stated.
On the day he died, Klop stated she labored with Johansen in makes an attempt to assist Uko after seeing his Fb posts.
“It was completely out of character for him. We knew one thing was improper,” she defined. “We reached out to him and he was completely incoherent.”
EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE TESTIMONY
Scott Harrison, a registered nurse with the Saskatchewan Well being Authority, additionally testified on Tuesday morning.
He assessed Uko on his first go to to the Regina Normal Hospital on Might 21, 2020 at about 9:45 a.m.
“He was having depressive ideas,” Harrison stated. He added his manner was withdrawn, however stated Uko didn't have issues answering questions.
Harrison stated Uko informed him he was just lately concerned in a automobile accident and was having hassle sleeping. He stated Uko additionally informed him he had not been capable of finding work because the COVID-19 pandemic started.
After conducting Uko’s main evaluation, Harrison stated the affected person was handed over to a different nurse.
Harrison stated he has observed some modifications within the emergency room up to now couple of years, however can’t decipher when most of them had been carried out or for what causes they had been made.
Harrison stated there may be one psychiatric nurse on shift at a time. He stated the emergency room may gain advantage from extra.
When requested about variety coaching, Harrison stated they do obtain some however he doesn't keep in mind his final session. He stated it was a quick overview, and extra in depth coaching “wouldn’t damage.”
Harrison stated he believes the change that was made to make sure each affected person sees a nurse and doctor earlier than leaving is a step in the suitable route to making sure one thing like this by no means occurs once more.
AFTERNOON TESTIMONY
Dr. Amy Goodday is the emergency room doctor who handled Uko on his first go to to the Regina Normal Hospital on the day he died.
“He got here in with some considerations about his temper,” she stated. “The largest motive he was there that morning was that he needed assist sleeping.”
Goodday stated she had no considerations associated to his manner or look that day.
“He was very acceptable. He was making good eye contact. He was coherent. His ideas had been logical. He was very nice,” she stated.
She stated he informed her that he didn't have ideas of injuring himself or anybody else, however she referred him to the psychological well being clinic as a result of she felt he may gain advantage from seeing a psychiatrist.
Bobbi Jo Slinn, a social employee with the psychological well being clinic, obtained the referral and known as Uko after he was launched from hospital.
“It was my job to then do an evaluation to find out what service can be greatest for him,” Slinn testified.
She stated Uko answered her name on the primary ring. She stated he appeared confused as to why she was calling at first, however he was engaged within the dialog. It lasted greater than half-hour.
Slinn stated at instances Uko would give one phrase solutions, however nothing stood out as overly regarding. She stated he wouldn't inform her the place he was residing or who his native assist system was.
Throughout the name, she stated Uko made it clear that he needed to see a psychiatrist to debate diagnoses and therapy choices.
She stated they frolicked discussing what would occur if issues deteriorated along with his psychological well being. She informed him he may name her again, name 911 or go to the emergency room once more.
She realized Uko had died per week after the actual fact, when she noticed his well being file up to date. She stated the psychiatrist had nonetheless been attempting to get in contact with him to guide an appointment that week.
Slinn stated she believes communication between the hospital and the psychological well being clinic is essential in these conditions.
NAME INCONSISTENCIES
Questions on inconsistencies with the affected person’s establish had been raised all through the day on the inquest.
Goodday stated Uko was not listed as his final identify when she handled him. She didn't verify his final identify when she met with him.
The registration clerk who admitted Uko throughout his first go to, Ronda Schmalenberg, stated she remembers him being very incoherent that day.
She stated he informed her he was listening to voices.
He offered his identification card, which was from British Columbia, however she couldn't verify if it was a license or well being card. She stated she had by no means seen a BC card earlier than. She had began the job about three months prior.
Schmalenberg stated she misinterpreted the identify on the cardboard and didn't know Uko, which was listed on the highest, was his final identify. His center identify was listed as his final identify.
She stated she requested questions in makes an attempt to make clear.
“I attempted to verify his identify however there was no response,” she stated.
The supervisor of registration companies, Lolita Vansteelandt, stated he was initially registered with a special identify but it surely was ultimately corrected to Uko underneath his affected person file.
Schmalenberg stated she didn't see Uko throughout his second go to to the hospital.
SECOND VISIT REGISTRATION
Tonya Dee Eberts was a registration clerk who was working when Uko visited the hospital for the second time.
She stated she couldn't verify his identify, however knew he had been there earlier and needed to proceed his care. She needed to seek out his identify as an alternative of admitting him as unidentified.
She stated she left her desk house when he got here in to attempt to work with him. She returned to her desk as soon as the safety guards had been with him. She hoped he’d speak in confidence to them if there have been fewer individuals round.
When the safety guards escorted him out, she stated she was stunned however didn't cease them.
“I used to be shocked,” she stated.
She stated if the identical factor occurred now, she would really feel extra snug talking up and questioning his elimination.
The inquest is scheduled to renew on Wednesday morning and is predicted to run till Friday.
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