Explorer

95-Year-Old Australian Dementia Patient Dies After Being Tasered By Police, Officer Charged

Clare Nowland was allegedly tasered by police on May 17 after she was found armed with a steak knife at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma.

A 95-year-old Australian woman died on Wednesday, a week after she was tasered in her nursing home, the New South Wales (NSW) police said. According to CNN, Clare Nowland, a great-grandmother, had been in a hospital in critical condition due the serious injuries including a fractured skull she sustained when she fell to the floor as she was being tasered. In a Facebook post, the police said that she passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones “who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.”

Senior constable, Kristian White, 33, who allegedly tasered the elderly woman has been charged with multiple offences including common assault and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and can carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. He is due to appear at Cooma local court on July 5, The Guardian reported.

NSW Police Force Assistant Commission Peter Cotter said that the police were called to her home at Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma at around 4:15 am on May 17 with the report that a resident was armed with a steak knife. Police say they urged Nowland to drop a serrated steak knife before she moved towards them "at a slow pace" with her walking frame, prompting one officer to fire his taser at her.

During a press conference, New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb said that Nowland’s family had been informed of the charges relating to what she described as a “nasty incident”, as per The Guardian.

The incident was captured in the body cameras, however, footage has not been released publicly. Webb said she would not view it herself, until the investigators finished gathering evidence. She also defended White, who has been suspended with pay, stating that “people are innocent until proven guilty” and that he deserved the same opportunity as any other resident. 

NSW police guidelines say that tasers should only be used on elderly or disabled people in “exceptional circumstances.”

A family friend of Clare Nowland, Andrew Thaler said she was frail and unable to stand unaided. She weighed just 43 kilograms and was 5ft 2 inches tall and was suffering from dementia. After the incident, Thaler questioned, “Why has it taken so long? Anyone else would have been charged straight away”. Earlier this week, Nowland’s family released a statement asking for privacy, and thanking people for their support.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Pakistan’s Cross-Border Terrorism Policy Will Never Succeed, Can’t Expect Impunity: Jaishankar At UNGA
Pakistan’s Cross-Border Terrorism Policy Will Never Succeed, Can’t Expect Impunity: Jaishankar At UNGA
Udhayanidhi Stalin Elevated To Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Post, Senthil Balaji Set To Return To Cabinet Amid Rejig
Udhayanidhi Elevated To Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Post, Senthil Balaji Set To Return To Cabinet
FIR Against Nirmala: Oppn Asks PM Modi To Take ‘Full Responsibility’, Siddaramiah Poses ‘Resignation’ Question
FIR Against Nirmala: Oppn Asks PM Modi To Take ‘Full Responsibility’, Siddaramiah Poses ‘Resignation’ Question
J&K: Protests In Budgam, Srinagar Over Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah's Killing, Mehbooba Cancels Poll Campaign
J&K: Protests In Budgam, Srinagar Over Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah's Killing, Mehbooba Cancels Poll Campaign
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

Effective Weight Loss Strategies, Insights from Jashan Vij | Health LIVEFirst Case of Clade 1B Mpox Detected in India, 38-Year-Old Man from Kerala Returns from UAEWhy Do People Get Hooked on Tobacco? The Risks of This Habit Explained | Health LiveWhy Do Certain Sounds Trigger Tooth Sensitivity? Understanding the Connection

Photo Gallery

Embed widget