Man who died after interaction with police during mental health call-out was 'begging for life', partner says
Collin Burling died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Tuesday after emergency services were called to a unit block in Waterloo in the early hours of the morning.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said officers were called by NSW Ambulance for "urgent" assistance and Mr Burling "was subdued by police".
He said "the ambulance had the intention of sedating" Mr Burling but it was not clear if a sedative had been administered.
Mr Burling's partner Taite Collins said the 45-year-old had a "beautiful nature with undiagnosed mental health" concerns.
He said Mr Burling was concerned about carbon monoxide in his apartment and paramedics were called in fear of poisoning.
"Then the police showed up as well, only one car originally with two officers who did the initial patting down," Mr Collins said.
"All of a sudden he goes into the ambulance ... I'm not sure what was said to him but he didn't want to be in the ambulance and didn't want to go to the hospital."
Excerpts of the exchange with first responders, recorded by Mr Collins, showed Mr Burling at the ambulance door asking officers to "back it up".
"I'm not a threat, I've got no weapons, I've already been searched, I'm not under arrest for anything," he said.
"They say I've got mental health, what have I done?"
A female emergency responder is heard asking him to come out the vehicle so they can talk to him.
Mr Burling expresses concerns about threats to his life and asks to speak to "someone of authority".
Another excerpt shows Mr Burling on the ground with at least four officers on top of him, with someone asking him to "stop resisting".
As a white cloth is held up by two first responders, Mr Burling can be heard saying "I can't breathe" three times and called for "help".
A short time later Mr Burling's voice cannot be heard and paramedics are seen providing assistance to him.
Mr Collins said after Mr Burling left the ambulance, officers came onto him "like a pack of mauling dogs".
"It was disgusting to watch and I knew he was in trouble," he said.
He said he saw a handful of officers on top of him "pushing their knees into his back".
NSW Police has declared a critical incident, which is a review of an incident involving an officer that results in the death or serious injury of a person, saying he suffered cardiac arrest.
Assistant Commissioner McKenna said on Tuesday that officers had not used any other restraint than handcuffs.
Mr Collins said the video was too confronting to watch back.
"He was begging for his life, he had done nothing wrong ... you can't do that to a human being," he said.
He said the situation had been hard and "something needs to change".
Melinda, who lives in the area, said Mr Burling's death made her feel "not as safe as I thought I could be".
"I've been restrained before, the police can get very forceful, very aggressive towards us."
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the critical incident would be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
"It will look at all of the police response and any recommendations that come out of that will of course be considered," she said, adding her "heart goes out to all those involved".
NSW Premier Chris Minns rejected suggestions police were being too heavy handed, saying officers worked a "difficult job in difficult circumstances".
"What I can promise is that we've got very robust independent oversight and investigation models in place and processes to ensure that the public can have confidence that these things will be investigated."
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