This was published 5 years ago
Man dies in police custody on the Great Ocean Road
By Matilda Boseley
A man has died while in police custody after he was arrested near Anglesea last night.
Police were called to Bellbrae in south-west Victoria at 7.30pm on Friday after reports that a man on foot was acting erratically on the Great Ocean Road, a police spokesman said.
Officers arrested the man and he fell unconscious, the spokesman said.
Emergency services tried to revive him but he died at the scene.
Police have declined to say if any force was used during the arrest.
A post mortem examination will be carried out to determine his cause of death.
The Homicide Squad will investigate the incident with oversight from the Professional Standards Command.
Police said this was standard practice for all deaths in police custody.
This is the second reported death in custody in three months.
Earthcore music festival founder Spiro Boursine died after being arrested over a bar fight on October 20.
The exact circumstances around his death remain unclear.
Officers arrived at Antique Bar on Glen Huntly Road to find Mr Boursine pinned down by several bar patrons.
Victoria Police said in a statement that he slipped into unconsciousness after being handcuffed.
They attempted to revive Mr Boursine until paramedics arrived and took over, but he died at the scene.
Anyone with information or with footage of Friday's incident in Anglesea is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
More to come