A detective whose advice led to a search for a missing Aboriginal man being called off has told an inquest he did "nothing" when he later doubted his information.
WARNING: This article contains an image of an Aboriginal person who has died. It is used with the permission of the family.
Gomeroi man Gordon Copeland fell into floodwaters in north west New South Wales after he and two others ran from police in July last year.
The inquest into the 22-year-old's death has heard the search for him was called off hours after he fell into the flooded Gwydir River at Moree.
The coroner has been told that decision was based on information from Detective Brad Beddoes and Detective Greg Ryan.
Detective Beddoes gave evidence that he believed only two people were present and had been accounted for.
He conceded that he "probably" came to that opinion prematurely as he did not speak to any officers at the scene, watch their body-worn camera footage from the night, or speak to the two people Mr Copeland was with.
The inquest heard Senior Constable Crystal Manusu rang Detective Beddoes at around 2am the following day to question his information — whilst Mr Copeland's family had been at the station for hours, pleading for the search to start again.
Under questioning from the Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan, Detective Beddoes agreed he had not properly checked his information, despite telling Constable Manusu he was "satisfied" no one was missing.
Magistrate O'Sullivan: Did it enter your mind at this point with Leading Senior Constable Manusu that there was a possibility there may have been more than two people in the car?
Detective Beddoes: Yes certainly.
Magistrate O'Sullivan: That entered your mind then?
Detective Beddoes: Yes.
Magistrate O'Sullivan: If she's concerned, were you concerned?
Detective Beddoes: Yeah, I was concerned.
Magistrate O'Sullivan: What did you do as a result of being concerned?
Detective Beddoes: Nothing at that point.
Magistrate O'Sullivan: Why not?
Detective Beddoes: I don't know … if someone was in the river, some searches would've had to be commenced, that's not my area.
The court has heard the search was initially called off around midday on July 10, and did not recommence until almost 24 hours later.
"I can assure you on this day I did everything I could," Detective Beddoes said, speaking directly to the family in court.
"Clearly now it wasn't good enough, but I'd done my best. I'm sorry for your loss."
