ACT News

Man dies after falling from QT Hotel room in Canberra

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Police are investigating the death of a 29-year-old man who died after falling two floors from the QT Hotel in New Acton on Sunday, November 13.

Emergency services were called to the hotel at about 2.50am and provided CPR to the unconscious man before he was taken to Canberra Hospital.

A 29-year-old man died after falling two floors from the QT Hotel in New Acton on Sunday, November 13.
A 29-year-old man died after falling two floors from the QT Hotel in New Acton on Sunday, November 13.  Photo: Jay Cronan

He died two days later from significant head injuries.

Detective Station Sergeant Matthew Reynolds from ACT Policing said the man had been drinking before he fell from his hotel balcony and landed on a lower roof of the building.

A person who was in the hotel room at the time did not see the fall, Sergeant Reynolds said.

Police would not specify the relationship between the two, or whether the man who died was from Canberra.

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"We are not really wanting to divulge that information out of respect of the family," Sergeant Reynolds said.

He said police were working on a number of inquires to determine how the man fell.

"We are not investigating this incident as a murder, however we are trying to understand all the circumstances surrounding the death and are appealing to anyone who was in the area of the QT Hotel between 2am and 3am," he said.

"We are also appealing to speak to a taxi driver who we believe picked the deceased up earlier from the hotel prior to falling from the balcony."

The man was believed to have been with one other man about 2am when the taxi driver picked them up, but police did not detail the taxi's route.

ACT Policing had responded to an earlier report of a disturbance at the QT Hotel around the same time the taxi picked the men up.

Police said there was no suggestion the man, while intoxicated, had used any illicit substances.

The family were "understandably devastated" and were working closely with investigators.

The man's hotel room and the area where he fell were cordoned off in the aftermath of the fall but QT Hotel otherwise remained open after the incident.

Police said guests and staff at the hotel had no reason to be concerned about their safety and Worksafe ACT was not involved in the incident.

The QT Hotel is 1.6 kilometres from the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and a short walk to the Canberra CBD.

It is believed the man fell from the balcony with glass railings onto the brown roof covering the restaurant and bar areas of the hotel.

While police have spoken to several witnesses, they are calling on anyone who was in the QT Hotel area at the time or who lives nearby to come forward if they have information.

"We believe there may have been some people who saw the incident who have not contacted us yet," Sergeant Reynolds said.

"We are also asking anyone who may overlook the QT Hotel from another apartment who may have CCTV footage to contact police."

He said police were available able to provide support to any witnesses to the incident and would provide a report for the coroner.

When asked why they chose not to appeal to the public earlier, an ACT Policing spokeswoman said they had "been following several lines of enquiry".

A spokesman for QT Hotel said he could not comment on the matter because police were investigating.

Police are urging anyone who may information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or at act.crimestoppers.com.au and quote reference 6034263. Information can be provided anonymously.

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