Clare Nowland, a 95-year-old dementia patient who was tasered by police, died in hospital.
New South Wales Police verified the news in a statement issued on Wednesday (May 24).
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight,” New South Wales police stated in a statement obtained by News.com.au. Mrs. Nowland died quietly in the hospital shortly after 7:00 p.m. this evening, surrounded by family and loved ones who have asked for privacy at this sad and difficult time.
“Our hearts go out to those who were fortunate enough to know, love, and be loved by Mrs. Nowland during a life filled with family, kindness, and community.”
Nowland was transported to a hospital in Cooma, Australia, after being tasered by police who were summoned to the Yallambee Lodge Care Home where she was residing at 4:00 a.m. on May 17, after employees reported that she was carrying a knife.
CNN stated that the 5’2″ woman, who weighed only 43kg (95lb), had carried a steak knife from the kitchen into a small treatment room before personnel phoned the police.
Officers attempted to persuade the 95-year-old to drop the knife before a senior constable used his Taser when she approached him slowly using her walking frame.
Nowland was left in critical condition after being tased and falling on her head. Her family later reported that she was receiving “end-of-life care” as a result of her injuries.
Senior Constable Kristian White, the officer responsible, has since been charged by homicide investigators with three offenses: causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Cotter told reporters about the incident days later: “We can’t talk too much specifically about the incident, but generally we say [the Taser] is there as a piece of equipment to defend yourself when you think your life or someone else’s is in danger.”
“At the time she was tasered, she was approaching police,” he continued. At a sluggish pace, to be sure. She walked with a cane. But she was armed with a knife. I can’t speculate on what was going through anyone’s thoughts when he utilized the Taser.”
“Clare approached the doorway where the police were at that stage, and the officer, the one officer, discharged the Taser,” Cotter explained at the time.
“She is currently bedridden due to the injury she sustained as a result of hitting her head on the floor.” She is conscious and unconscious.”
Following the incident, it was found that the cop who deployed the Taser had been suspended with pay from their responsibilities.
After the incident was made public, the public and local community groups were outraged, calling for police and care home employees to be better trained in de-escalating situations and claiming that other methods might have been used to disarm the frail, old woman without tasering her.
The officers’ body cameras caught video and audio of the event, but the Assistant Commissioner affirmed that it would not be disseminated because “it is not in the public interest.”
Nowland’s loved ones had gathered around her bedside, according to Andrew Thaler, a local community champion and friend of Nowland’s family.
“I don’t think there’s going to be a recovery,” Thaler said, according to CNN. “Tasers kill bulls and full-grown men.” She’s a sloppy woman.
“She had good days and bad days, which is standard,” he added, noting that the older citizen had been a resident of the nursing home for five years.
“Without a walking aid, this woman couldn’t stand.” She isn’t all that powerful. She weighs about 43 kilos (95 pounds) and is about 5-foot-2 (1.58 meters). This is a heinous crime.”
“A lot of people and some of the family were shocked that she made it through last night, [she is] still hanging on now,” Thaler said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on May 22. She is receiving end-of-life care, which is critical.
“It’s both absurd and shocking… This is compensated by a massive outpouring of sympathy, well wishes, and prayers from people all around the world.
“A lot of people and some of the family were shocked that she made it through last night, [she is] still hanging on now,” Thaler said on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on May 22. She is receiving end-of-life care, which is critical.
“It’s both absurd and shocking… This is compensated by a massive outpouring of sympathy, well wishes, and prayers from people all around the world.
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