Australia: 95-Year-Old Woman Tasered By Police Passes Away

A 95-year-old Australian woman with dementia passed away after being tasered by the police in a care home. The incident has sparked outrage and the woman, Clare Nowland, is believed to have suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed due to falling and hitting her head.

In a statement, Nowland's family said she was a "loved and giving member of her local community". They added that she was a "loving and gentle-natured matriarch" of the family.

The police confirmed that they have launched a critical incident investigation into the matter. Commissioner Karen Webb said the incident is being treated with the "utmost seriousness".

Officers were called to the care home in Cooma after reports that an elderly woman, Clare Nowland was carrying a knife.

The officer who tasered Nowland has been charged with assault and the senior constable will face court in July. He has been suspended from duty with pay while investigations continue.

The New South Wales (NSW) police confirmed that an officer tasered an elderly woman in a care home, leaving her in a "critical condition".

Suggested Reading: Viral Video: Cop Slaps Woman Farmer Protesting Land Acquisition

Elderly Woman Tasered

Assistant Police Commissioner Peter Cotter claimed that Nowland was found in her room "armed" with a steak knife. He added that officers and care home staff attempted to de-escalate the situation. Cotter said she approached the police "at a slow pace" and was tasered.

Cotter added that while Nowland was walking slowly with a walking frame, she also had a knife in her hand.

Family friend Andrew Thaler spoke with BBC and claimed that Nowland was tasered twice, once in the the front and once in the back before she fell. Due to the fall, the 95-year-old woman suffered a fractured skull and a serious brain bleed. Nowland was later taken to the Cooma District Hospital. Nowland's family do not expect the elderly woman to survive her injuries.

Thaler said that the family was shocked and confused, and the community is enraged by the excessive force.

Community groups such as the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and People with Disability Australia (PwD) criticised the police for tasering an elderly woman with dementia.

Nicole Lee, PwD president spoke with Australian Broadcasting Corporation and said Clare Nowland needed someone to treat her with compassion and care, not tasers.

The care home Yallambee Lodge run by Snowy Monaro Regional Council defended its response. The council's chief operating officer Jeff Morgan said the staff followed procedure and did what was needed in the circumstances.