Multiple investigations are underway following the death of a man while being restrained in Whangārei Hospital's mental health unit overnight night after an assault on a staff member.
Acting Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid of Northland CIB said police were called to the mental health unit at around 9.52pm to assist with an unrelated incident, and while officers were attending that incident another patient in the ward assaulted a staff member.
The man was restrained by police and hospital staff.
He became unresponsive and CPR was carried out by hospital staff, but the man died shortly after midnight.
Mr Schmid said police are now investigating the incident and working with the Northland District Health Board "to determine what exactly has taken place".
A scene examination is currently underway, and police will be talking to those involved at the scene as well as any witnesses to the incident to establish what has occurred, he said.
A post-mortem examination will take place tomorrow.
"Police are working closely with the family of the deceased and we are providing them with victim support. We are also providing support to our staff who attended the incident," Mr Schmid said.
Police have also notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority and WorkSafe NZ.
Northland DHB's general manager of mental health and addiction services, Ian McKenzie, said the man had recently been in the emergency department at Whangārei Hospital and passed away in the Tumanako inpatient unit whilst being restrained, subsequent to an assault on a staff member.
Attempts to resuscitate were not successful, and police, security and clinical staff were in attendance, Mr McKenzie said.
An external investigation will be undertaken and the coroner will determine the cause of death, he said.
"Our thoughts are with members of the whānau at this time," Mr McKenzie said.
SHARE ME