National

Arrest death prompts police death in custody inquiry

By AAP Newswire

Jan 26, 2026

A Western Australia Police Force vehicle (file image) — The actions of officers will be investigated after a man died following an arrest in regional WA. -AAP Image

A man has died in a regional hospital after being tasered and pepper-sprayed by police during an arrest, prompting a death in custody investigation.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The 43-year-old was allegedly behaving erratically with a knife at an intersection in South Kalgoorlie about 7.20pm on Sunday, prompting calls to police.

Officers found the man at a nearby home with a self-inflicted injury, WA Police said.

They attempted to negotiate and detain the man, but say he continued to behave in an aggressive manner.

"A Taser and OC spray were deployed and the man was restrained," police said in a statement on Monday.

Officers provided first-aid and started CPR until an ambulance arrived, but he later died in Kalgoorlie Hospital.

"Due to the circumstance of the man's death, officers from the Major Crime Division and Internal Affairs Unit will investigate his death as a death in police custody," police said.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636