‘This has to be a wake-up call’: NSW attorney general urged to order inquest into death of Sydney’s ‘birdman’
Alex Greenwich says inquest crucial to understand what failures led to Bikram Lama’s death and avoid similar deaths Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast The New South Wales attorney-general, Michael Daley, has been urged to order an inquest into the death of Nepali rough sleeper Bikram Lama in Hyde Park.
The death of Lama – who was also known as “the birdman” for his love of the area’s pigeons – has prompted widespread calls for change, after Guardian Australia revealed last week that the young migrant’s body lay unnoticed for up to a week in bushes near a busy thoroughfare into St James station.
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What Happened
Bikram Lama, a Nepali rough sleeper known as the 'birdman' for his affection toward pigeons in Sydney’s Hyde Park, died with his body reportedly lying unnoticed for up to a week in bushes near a busy area. This has sparked widespread public concern and calls for an official inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death.
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has been urged by Alex Greenwich and others to order the inquest to uncover systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy. The case highlights critical issues around homelessness, migrant support, and public safety in urban areas.
Why It Matters
This situation underscores potential gaps in social services and public health monitoring for vulnerable populations, such as migrants and rough sleepers, raising questions about the effectiveness of current support structures and emergency responses.
Understanding the failures that allowed Lama's death to go unnoticed is vital to protecting other at-risk individuals and addressing broader social vulnerabilities in the community.
Implications
The outcome of the requested inquest could lead to reforms in how authorities monitor and support homeless populations and migrants, especially in busy urban environments. Stakeholders should watch for potential policy changes regarding social service oversight, public health protocols, and emergency response systems to prevent similar incidents.
Public advocacy and politician engagement on these issues may increase as a result.
Key Signals
- death of Nepali rough sleeper Bikram Lama in Hyde Park
- body found after up to a week unnoticed in public space
- calls for NSW attorney-general to order inquest
- focus on failures leading to death
- aim to prevent similar future deaths