Video shows man restrained by police before death during welfare check in Waterloo
Footage has emerged showing a man repeatedly telling police he wasn’t a threat while being restrained during a welfare check in inner Sydney, before dying on the way to hospital.
NSW
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A man has died during a welfare check in Sydney’s inner south, after footage captured him being restrained by police while repeating, “I’m not a threat.”
A critical incident investigation has been launched into the incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Emergency services were called to a unit complex on Pitt St in Waterloo following concerns for the welfare of 45-year-old Darren Burling.
Paramedics were first on the scene and initially managed to convince Mr Burling to enter the ambulance with the help of police, according to Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna. However, he said Mr Burling’s behaviour escalated and he “became aggressively resistant.”
Part of the confrontation was filmed by Mr Burling’s partner, Taite Collins, who watched the events unfold from the couple’s apartment. In the video, obtained by Nine News, police can be heard shouting “stop resisting” as they hold him down.
Mr Burling can be heard responding with, “I’m not a threat.”
Mr Burling was handcuffed and held on the ground before officers moved away and paramedics took over, attempting to sedate him, Ms Collins told Nine News.
He lost consciousness during the process and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Despite efforts by paramedics and police to revive him, he was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A crime scene was established at the unit, and a critical incident investigation team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is now examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
Four junior officers involved in the incident will be interviewed as part of the investigation, and body-worn camera footage will be reviewed.
The incident will also be subject to external oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and a review by the Professional Standards Command.
“He’s a beautiful man,” Ms Collins said.
“Big, burly man but he’s got a heart of gold.”
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said officers and paramedics were on the scene to help Mr Burling and added that no weapons other than handcuffs were used.
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Originally published as Video shows man restrained by police before death during welfare check in Waterloo
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