Giuliano collapsed in a gym shower and was found 15 hours later... his devastated mother has made an urgent plea as she buries her son
The mother of a bodybuilder who died in a gym bathroom has called for a coronial inquest to investigate the safety measures in place at the exercise facilities.
The mother of a bodybuilder who died in a gym bathroom has called for a coronial inquest to investigate the safety measures in place at the exercise facilities.
Giuliano Pirone, 33, collapsed in a locked shower cubicle of the gym in Wanneroo, Perths north, at about 7.30am on August 20.
Mr Pirone, who was training for a bodybuilding competition, fell and suffered a brain injury and never regained consciousness.
Police found the young father lying in the cubicle under cold running water 15 hours later at about 10.30pm when they broke into the shower.
Loved ones had reported him missing and cops managed to track him down by pinging his phone.
Mr Pirone was rushed to Joondalup hospital where he was on life support for two weeks before he died on September 5.
His grieving mother Daniela said an inquest would allow more scrutiny on the safety protocols in place at 24-hour gyms.
She claims the facilities need to be strictly regulated and said if her son was found earlier, he would have been alive.
Giuliano Pirone, 33, (pictured) died after he collapsed in a locked shower cubicle of a gym in the northern Perth suburb of Wanneroo, around 7.30am on August 20
I did not want to join this club of mothers losing their children and I want to know why Im in this position, Ms Pirone told the ABC.
I just want to know how someone can be left in a gym shower for 15 hours.
Doctors believe Mr Pirones blood sugar levels became very low, causing his blood pressure to drop, and said he may have had a seizure.
Police have obtained CCTV footage from the gym, which hasnt been named for legal reasons, and are preparing a report for the coroner.
Ms Pirone said the footage showed her son getting off the treadmill before he bumped into several workout machines.
He then went into the shower clutching his stomach.
The shattered mother said she doesnt want others to face a similar situation.
Mr Pirones family have called for all gyms to be adequately staffed and for employees to check showers and bathrooms every hour.
The gym where Mr Pirone collapsed is staffed for a couple of hours during the morning and afternoon, according to its website.
Gyms across Australia can choose to sign up to the National Code of Practice through AUSactive, the peak body for the exercise and active health sector.
Mr Pirones shattered mother Daniela said a coronial inquest would allow more scrutiny on the safety protocols in place at 24-hour gyms
The code contains guidelines to promote various workplace health and safety measures.
These include the installation of security cameras to monitor parts of a health and fitness facility accessed by users excluding change rooms and bathrooms.
The code also encourages exercise facilities to be equipped with first-aid kits that can be easily accessed during an emergency.
AUSactive CEO Barry elvish said the gym Mr Pirone attended is not a member of the association.
Mr Elvish said that while the death of Mr Pirone is distressing, it is difficult to staff gyms for 24 hours day, seven days a week.
Mr Pirones family are getting legal advice.
