Inquest into the Death of Rory Kevin Joseph Kenny
Inquest into the Death of Rory Kevin Joseph Kenny
Delivered on : 29 December 2025
Delivered at : Perth
Finding of : Coroner Urquhart
Recommendations : No
Orders/Rules : No
Suppression Order :
On the basis it would be contrary to the public interest, an Order is made under section 49(1)(b) of the Coroners Act 1996 that there be no reporting or publication of the details of any of the versions of the WA Police Emergency Driving Policy and Guidelines, including, but not limited to, any cap on the speed at which police officers are authorised to drive.
Summary : On the evening of 21 February 2024, Rory Kevin Joseph Kenny (Rory) died after the motorcycle he was riding crashed on that part of Wellard Road in Calista that was a no-through road (the crash). He was 20 years old and one week shy of his 21st birthday.
At the time of the crash, Rory was being followed by two police officers from the Western Australian Police Force (WAPF) in an unmarked police car that was attempting to intercept the motorcycle Rory was riding.
Rory’s death occurred during a police intercept incident. Therefore, pursuant to section 22(1)(b) of the Act, an inquest into Rory’s death was mandatory as it “appears that the death was caused, or contributed to, by any action of a member of the Police Force”.
The information available shows that Rory was riding the motorcycle on the night of 21 February 2024 when he was intoxicated with methylamphetamine and cannabis. Rory sustained fatal injuries barely 30 seconds after the police car’s emergency lights and sirens had been activated when he rode the motorcycle at high speed and lost control in his attempts to evade police. Despite the best efforts of police officers, DFES personnel and paramedics, Rory could not be revived, and he died at the scene.
After careful consideration of the available evidence, and with due regard to the Briginshaw principle, the Coroner was satisfied the actions of Officers Bray and Hall during the very brief intercept incident did not cause or contribute to Rory’s death and that they complied with the policies and procedures relating to police intercept incidents at all times.
Catch Words : Pursuits : Evade Police Incident : Emergency Driving Policy and Guidelines : Accident
Last updated: 23 September 2026