Huntingdale man dies in police custody

AAP March 15, 2010

A DIABETIC father of six has died in police custody after twice being taken from the Perth watchhouse to hospital for medical assessment.

Dion Wood's grieving family are demanding a full investigation into his death.

The police internal affairs unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances of the 33-year-old's death late on Sunday.

Mr Woods, from Huntingdale in Perth's south, was arrested on Saturday night over breaches of a violence restraining order after police were called to a domestic dispute in Belmont, in the city's southeast.

Detective Superintendent Tony Flack of the internal affairs unit on Monday told reporters a full investigation for the coroner would look into the man's arrest, his hospital treatment and care in custody.

``Any death of a 33-year-old person is upsetting and tragic for all,'' said Det Supt Flack, offering the sympathies of police to the man's family.

After his arrest, Mr Woods was sent to Royal Perth Hospital for medical assessment after watchhouse staff became concerned about his diabetic condition because he had consumed alcohol, he said.

He was returned to the watchhouse with medication but was again taken to hospital on Sunday afternoon after a police nurse noticed a spike in his blood sugar level, Det Supt Flack said.

At about 10.20pm (WST) on Sunday he was found unconscious during a police check on his cell.

Attempts to resuscitate him began and he was taken by ambulance to hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 11.30pm.

Det Supt Flack said a cause of death had not yet been determined.

The last death at the watchhouse was in 2000.

Det Supt Flack said WA Police had gone a long way to improve custodial care in recent years.

``It's fair to say we have been very, very mindful of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Deaths in Custody.

``It's very distressing to everybody involved.''

Investigators will interview dozens of officers at the watchhouse as well as hospital staff.

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/huntingdale-man-dies-i...