First Territorian to Die with Swine Flu

Wednesday July 8, 2009

The first Territorian to die with swine flu died on Monday morning.

Renowned Darwin lawyer Ian 'Morrie' Morris, past president of the NT Law Society and past president died after spending two days in Royal Darwin Hopsital's intensive care unit.

Colleagues and friends say they will miss him on both a personal and professional level. Friend and president of the NT Bar Association Peter Barr QC said that Mr Morris had a strong sense of justice. He also said that Mr Morris worked hard as chairman of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, which helps to regulate code of conduct in the legal world.

"When you do those jobs like the professional discipline stuff, it's more or less an honary thing," Mr Barr told the Northern Territory News.

"There's no great rewards in it ... it's for the good of the profession."

It is said that Mr Morris was taken to RDH on Saturday by ambulance. Hospital general manager Dr Len Notaras said the patient arrived with flu symptons, and was later diagnosed with swine flu.

Dr Notaras said his condition worsened over two days.

He said Mr Morris' death was a combined result of swine flu and other health issues, but he declined to give further details.

Mr Morris has been survived by his wife Jill.

Fourteen people are presently in hospital with swine flu across the Northern Territory.

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