Compensation awarded for Australia prison van death

Western Australia Attorney General Christian Porter said the ex-gratia payment — a voluntary gift given out of compassion rather than legal obligation — was one of the largest ever made in Australia.

“It's meant to show contrition — deep, deep remorse — for what has occurred,” Porter said.

The 46-year-old prisoner, now known only by his family name Ward because of a cultural prohibition on using the first name of a dead Aborigine, died of heat stroke in the back of the van after the temperature soared to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) during a four-hour journey in 2008.

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