Death from natural causes of driver in booze bus a tragedy for family and Police

A tragedy for both a dead woman's family and the Police officers in whose arms she died is how Waikato Police describe the death of a woman who died while undergoing a breath test in Hamilton overnight.

District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Chris Page, said Police were still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death of 56-year-old Hamilton resident, Elizabeth Jill GILBERTSON, however the indications from a post-mortem examination carried out in Auckland this morning was that her death was from natural causes.

"In the first instance Police would like to express their sympathies to the family of the woman.

"Her death has been reported to the Coroner and a number of investigations have commenced including those by the Coroner, Police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority."

Mr Page said Police first became concerned for the woman after she had been stopped near a routine Police alcohol checkpoint in the suburb of Hillcrest about 10.15pm

"The woman was the sole occupant of a car stopped on Cambridge Rd and had been unable to complete a breath screening test.

"As a result of this she was required to undergo an evidential breath test in a booze bus at the checkpoint. While undergoing this test inside the bus the woman collapsed, fell from her chair and despite the immediate first aid provided and the efforts of arriving ambulance staff, she died at the scene."

Mr Page said as upsetting as this sudden death was for the dead woman's family it was very upsetting for the Police staff as well.

"Each day and night members of our Traffic Alcohol Group, who operate our alcohol check points, go out with the intent to save lives.

"Last night while they were attempting to do this a driver has died, literally in the officers' arms. In addition to ensuring the investigations being carried out are done so in a professional manner the Waikato Police will be working to ensure those staff affected by last night's events receive the appropriate support as well."