Mark Haines’ family has been haunted by the loss of their brother for the past 37 years, grappling with unanswered questions surrounding his tragic death. A recent inquest into the circumstances of his demise has left his siblings, Lorna and Ron Haines, feeling as lost as ever, lacking clarity on what led to the 17-year-old being found on the railway tracks in Tamworth.
On January 16, a train crew discovered Mark’s body on the tracks, accompanied by a makeshift pillow of a folded blanket and some cardboard boxes. Nearby, a stolen white Torana was located, seemingly having crashed prior to his death. Despite an initial police assessment suggesting Mark might have been on the tracks due to a car accident, his family has remained sceptical of this conclusion.
Years of investigation did not bring them the closure they sought, as a coroner’s inquest in the late 1980s produced an open verdict. Mark’s uncle, Don Craigie, has tirelessly pursued allegations that local individuals may hold further insights about his nephew’s death, echoing sentiments from witnesses who hinted at potential foul play. Their testimonies, however, were often inconsistent or evasive, only adding to the family’s distress.
In a poignant moment during the inquest, Lorna Haines expressed her heartbreak as the family lawyer, Karina Hawtrey, articulated their ongoing anguish and desire for answers. With heavy rainfall on the fateful morning and new safety concerns about the investigation’s thoroughness, Craigie has articulated a belief that systemic racism affected how authorities handled the case. He asserts that had Mark been a white boy, the investigation would have been more rigorous, suggesting that investigative efforts were inadequate due to Mark’s Indigenous background.
As the inquiry, which began in April 2024, continued, family members expressed their frustration at what they perceive as negligence and dismissive attitudes from law enforcement officers. Craigie shared an encounter with a senior police officer who trivialised his concerns, highlighting a troubling imbalance in the attention given to deaths based on race.
The inquiry into Mark Haines’ death is set to resume, with further hearings scheduled under the guidance of Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame. The family remains determined to uncover the truth, continually seeking justice for Mark and recognition of the injustices faced by their community.
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