NSW Police begins critical incident investigation into death of man, 85, after 19-hour delay in welfare check

In the wake of an 85-year-old man’s death nearly 19 hours after a call for a welfare check, the NSW opposition has called on the police minister to explain the processes she will enact to ensure such checks are conducted efficiently.

Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden addressing media outside Surry Hills police station.

The NSW opposition has called on Police Minister Yasmin Catley to explain the processes she will put in place to ensure welfare checks are conducted in a timely manner, after NSW Police declared a critical incident to investigate the death of an elderly man, nearly 19 hours after a call for welfare check.

Police received the call from a member of the public about 5.45pm on July 4 after the 85 year old had not been seen for days, with officers arriving at his unit on William St, Bankstown almost 19 hours later at 12.30pm on Friday.

Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden told media on Friday morning “police were unable to” contact anyone at the man’s unit and officers worked alongside Fire and Rescue NSW to force entry into his home. It is understood he lived on his own.

He was found “with shallow breathing” and first response protocols were implemented, including CPR.

“Unfortunately, even with the assistance of ambulance, we were unable to sustain the life of the 85 year old,” Mr McFadden said.

Opposition police spokesman Paul Toole’s sympathies were with the man’s family, saying “19 hours is an alarming delay”.

“No family deserves to go through this,’’ he said.

“My thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

“Police have a difficult job where seconds and minutes count and clear communication is critical, it could be the difference between life or death.”

Mr Toole said the critical incident had “diminished community confidence in “Labor’s handling of police matters” which has seen the NSW Police budget cut, industrial action and police stations shutting.

“The family and the people of NSW deserve answers about what went wrong and what the government is doing to make sure this never happens again,” he said.

Mr McFadden said the circumstances were “tragic”, something he took “seriously” and if it was “preventable we need to own that responsibility”.

“My concern was the circumstances in the delay … in one of the busiest commands in the state,” he said.

Mr McFadden told media police would be looking into the “workload and the priorities” which were considered at the time, with the information that was available.

He said it was “too early” to determine the man’s cause of death and at this stage “there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death” while it was “really difficult to understand” whether it could have been avoided if police responded earlier.