Family of allegedly tasered grandmother Clare Nowland sues state of NSW
Claire Nowland, 95, died after she was allegedly tasered by police at a nursing home in the Snowy Mountains region of NSW.
The family of Clare Nowland are suing the state of NSW after the 95-year-old grandmother died after she was allegedly tasered by police at a nursing home in the Snowy Mountains region of NSW.
A civil matter filed on behalf of Nowland’s family was heard by the Bega District Court registry on Tuesday and has been adjourned for six weeks.
Nowland, a great grandmother of 31, suffered from dementia and lived at the residential aged care facility Yallambee Lodge in Cooma, about 400km south of Sydney.
Nursing home staff called police after Nowland was found wandering around the nursing home brandishing a knife on May 18.
Police have claimed they tried to negotiate with Nowland before allegedly using a Taser on the 95-year-old who fell and cracked fractured her skull.
Nowland was hospitalised in a critical condition and died on May 24.
At the time of her death Nowland’s family published a tribute in local newspaper The Monaro Post to farewell the “beautiful mum, nana and great-grandmother”.
“With great sadness, the Nowland family share that our beloved Clare passed away whilst surrounded by the love and support of her family,” said the statement.
“We wish to thank the staff at Cooma Hospital for their care and support for Clare and our family.”
Senior Constable Kristian White has been charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault over the incident and has yet to enter a plea. He has been stood down with pay.
Nowland was reportedly a beloved figure in Cooma and had eight children, 24 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
The civil matter is scheduled to return before a pre-trial conference in the Civil division of Bega District Court on August 24.
The Australian approached NSW Police for comment.
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