A day or so after the siege, a senior officer tells the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) operatives that Katrina Dawson died from a Police round.

Ben’s world collapses. The information is revised to “fragments” but it doesn’t make much difference. More detail emerged from a massive coronial inquiry: 22 rounds were fired, and 17 came from Ben’s M4. Only one other officer discharged his rifle. Those fragments could’ve come from multiple projectiles – there was no way of knowing.

A day or so after the siege, a senior officer tells the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) operatives that Katrina Dawson died from a Police round.
Ben’s world collapses. The information is revised to “fragments” but it doesn’t make much difference. More detail emerged from a massive coronial inquiry: 22 rounds were fired, and 17 came from Ben’s M4. Only one other officer discharged his rifle. Those fragments could’ve come from multiple projectiles – there was no way of knowing.

The Lindt siege was the bravest day in Ben Besant’s life, and the worst. He faced and killed a shotgun wielding terrorist, but then learnt his actions contributed to the accidental death of a hostage. He believes another hostage died because he and his colleagues didn’t get there in time. As a Tactical Operations Officer (TOU), Ben and his mates were more prepared for their own deaths than those of hostages. He’d texted his goodbyes to his wife.

Ben’s training for that moment and family pedigree of service are typical of so many young Australians prepared to risk their lives responding to life threatening situations. His life since is also a cautionary example of the personal cost, as the damage of all the trauma he’d faced landed squarely on his family.

The Lindt siege was the bravest day in Ben Besant’s life, and the worst. He faced and killed a shotgun wielding terrorist, but then learnt his actions contributed to the accidental death of a hostage. He believes another hostage died because he and his colleagues didn’t get there in time. As a Tactical Operations Officer (TOU), Ben and his mates were more prepared for their own deaths than those of hostages. He’d texted his goodbyes to his wife.
Ben’s training for that moment and family pedigree of service are typical of so many young Australians prepared to risk their lives responding to life threatening situations. His life since is also a cautionary example of the personal cost, as the damage of all the trauma he’d faced landed squarely on his family.

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