A Victorian coroner wants bar staff trained about the dangers of restraining patrons after the death of a festival founder being held down during a drug-induced psychosis.
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Spiros Boursinos called triple zero, said he was "about to get f***ing killed" and brandished a broken wine glass at Elsternwick's Antique Bar in October 2018 after taking cocaine.
The Earthcore music festival founder was restrained by bar owner Sam Falleti, a bartender and another patron for a few minutes until police arrived.
The 45-year-old lost consciousness and died from asphyxia.
Coroner Jacqui Hawkins on Tuesday said she wanted responsible service of alcohol training amended to include dealing with patrons experiencing mental health episodes and the dangers posed by physical restraint.
Neither the bar's owner nor the bartender had been required to undergo any training about this.
Mr Boursinos took cocaine and went out to celebrate after securing two sites for what was to be the 25th anniversary of his Earthcore music festival, founded in 1993.
He went behind the bar area and yelled "they're coming to get me, call the police, call the police".
Mr Boursinos had a history of mental health issues and drug-induced psychosis.
He made six triple-zero calls within 10 minutes, saying "I'm about to get f***ing killed ... I'm not going out there - call the police".
He kept pacing around the bar, screaming that people were trying to kill him and grabbed a large glass water bottle to defend himself.
He also grabbed a stool, hit the window with a liqueur bottle and brandished a broken wine glass.
Mr Boursinos was wrestled to the ground, with the bar owner on his back, and the bartender and patron holding his upper body as he kicked and yelled.
After police arrived, he was twitching, groaning, started falling in and out of consciousness and died at the bar.
Ms Hawkins accepted those who restrained Mr Boursinos did so in good faith, out of concern for his and others' safety.
While the man was not threatening anyone else, his behaviour was deeply concerning.
"He appeared paranoid, frightened, and not connected to the reality of the situation," the coroner said.
As well as updated training, Ms Hawkins called on the gambling and liquor regulator to provide guidance for all licensed venues about the risks associated with managing or physically restraining aggressive patrons.
Australian Associated Press
