A teenager has died in Newcastle after police were called to a community swimming pool following reports of an assault.
Officers were called to the Lambton pool swimming complex just after 5pm on Tuesday, following what police said were “reports a boy had assaulted an employee”.
Police said witnesses had restrained the 17-year-old teenager until officers arrived. The boy had to be treated by paramedics, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle. He died at the hospital.
Guardian Australia understands that the incident began when the boy, who as at the pool with a carer, pushed another patron into the pool.
He was cautioned by a member of staff, who he then began verbally and physically assault.
The police were called, and the boy became agitated.
In a statement, Newcastle City Council said the boy was restrained by his carer and witnesses after he “began causing harm to himself and the surrounding property”.
“His carer, with the assistance of passers-by, restrained the boy to prevent him doing further harm to himself,” the statement read.
“During the incident the boy had a medical episode and subsequently required CPR.”
Police said a critical incident team would investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. A critical incident investigation is launched when a civilian or police officer suffers serious injury or death in the course of a police operation.
On Wednesday the Lambton pool operators said the pool would reopen as normal “after a tragic day yesterday”.
“Our condolences go out to the families involved,” the Lane4 Aquatics company wrote on Facebook. “We appreciate there is a lot of speculation however it is important to remember it was a tragic day for all involved.”
