Questions raised on how mental health patient fled hospital before death
Questions have arisen over how a mental health patient managed to escape hospital before he was tasered by police and died.
New Zealand born Jack Kokaua, 30, fled Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Sunday following his arrest earlier that day in Glebe after witnesses described seeing a man with an apparent death wish, running in traffic.
"Police approached a man who resisted police and attempted to run away. A violent confrontation continued," Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton, Central Metropolitan Police, said of his first arrest.
He was subdued and taken to RPA but managed to escape. Students reported seeing him at nearby St Andrews College saying he was an angel.
Three police officers could not subdue him while a female sergeant screamed for urgent backup. It took six officers, including the use of capsicum spray and a taser. This time round, his arrest proved fatal.
"Shortly after, the man lost consciousness and stopped breathing," Asst. Comm. Walton said.
The police force publicly defended their colleagues with Assistant Commissioner Walton saying officers "were acting to try and look after someone".
Yet privately, they are said to be seething that a man they had risked their own safety to help was allowed to flee the hospital.
Kokaua's death was the latest in a growing list of arrest fatalities across NSW involving the mentally ill.
His family would not comment on Monday, instead informed friends via Facebook of his death.
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Asst CommWalton confirmed the events which unfolded on Sunday will be investigated.
"What happened at hospital and how he got out will be the subject of the investigation," he said.
