The 'endangers life' limb of the definition of 'serious injury' in s 15 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) is assessed at the time the injury is sustained by reference to the character of the injury and its natural course, not by reference to whether medical intervention in fact averted the danger. The severing of an artery is an injury that endangers life even where prompt medical treatment prevents death. 'Planning in advance' under s 15A(2)(d) can be established even where the planning occurred only minutes before the offence, provided it is not merely spontaneous or near-spontaneous.
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