Mates give evidence at Morcom inquest

MULLUMBIMBY High School students began giving evidence today during the third day of the coronial inquest into the death of Jai Morcom.

Jai died following a school yard brawl at the school on August 28, 2009.

Six of his school mates were called to give evidence today and more will appear throughout the week.

After hearing from teachers and staff yesterday, students and former students of Mullumbimby High recounted the point where the fight over a lunch table between Year 9 and Year 11 students got out of control.

According to the witnesses, whose identities have been suppressed, the flash-point occurred after teachers had settled several prior skirmishes during the recess break and had overseen the return of the disputed table to the Year 11 quadrangle.

The court heard that a year 11 student, who was allegedly spat upon in an earlier scuffle, returned to the Year 9 quadrangle sparking an all in brawl that lasted somewhere between 30 seconds and a minute.

It ended when staff broke up the fight and found Jai slumped against a toilet block wall unconscious.

The hearing continues and more witnesses will be called this afternoon.