A coroner has ruled that a series of flawed decisions led to the entirely preventable death of Brady James Hubbard, a 21-year-old footballer from north-west Tasmania.

Coroner Leigh Mackey found that Hubbard died on June 24, 2023, after falling from the back of a ute when driver Andrew Hilfenhaus performed a burnout outside the West Ulverstone Football Club (WUFC). Hubbard had played in a match against Wesley Vale earlier that day.

During the inquest, witnesses accused Hilfenhaus, his son Cameron, and WUFC trainer Anthony Sharman of covering up the circumstances of Hubbard's injury. Mackey was critical of their evidence and their failure to ensure Hubbard received immediate medical attention. She noted it was unclear why Sharman did not act but suggested the Hilfenhaus men may have feared Andrew Hilfenhaus, who had been drinking, would face legal trouble.

"[They] were likely motivated by a desire to obfuscate what had happened to Mr Hubbard and their role in it," Mackey said. She also indicated the fear of manslaughter charges may have overridden Andrew Hilfenhaus's care for Hubbard.

Mackey dismissed claims made by the men that they had suggested Hubbard seek medical treatment that night, labeling their failure to act as one of several flawed decisions.

Despite these findings, the coroner made no recommendations related to Hubbard's death, citing the higher standard of proof required for criminal proceedings compared to coronial findings.

Timeline

At 7:18 pm on June 24, 2023, Hubbard left the clubroom with the Hilfenhaus men to retrieve a pool cue from a nearby unit. It was shortly after this that the fatal incident occurred.

Summary

Friends of Brady Hubbard delayed seeking proper medical help after his injury because they were worried the driver would be in trouble, contributing to the preventable death of the young footballer.

Source: ABC Australia News

Author: Sandy Powell

Published: July 27, 2026

Link: Friends hid ute burnout injury that killed footballer, coroner says