A diabetic driver apologized in court after a 2023 crash in Victoria killed five and injured six, with all charges dismissed due to his involuntary loss of consciousness.

William Swale, 69, a diabetic driver, apologized in court during the inquest into a 2023 crash in Daylesford, Victoria, that killed five people and injured six. He testified he lost consciousness due to a severe hypoglycemic episode while driving home from a clay shooting event, causing his vehicle to mount a kerb and crash into patrons outside the Royal Daylesford Hotel. The victims were Pratibha Sharma, 44, her daughter Anvi, 9, partner Jatin Kumar, 30, friend Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11. Swale, who initially objected to testifying, was ordered to appear by a coroner. He expressed regret, hoping the families might hear his apology. All 14 charges, including five counts of culpable driving causing death, were dismissed by a magistrate who ruled his actions were involuntary due to his medical condition. The inquest continues.