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Rachel Lang
An elderly woman is in a critical condition with a fractured skull and bleeding to the brain after she was allegedly tasered by police at an Australian nursing home.
New South Wales Police have now confirmed that a critical incident investigation has been launched into the matter after dramatic scenes unfolded at the Yallambee Lodge aged care facility in Cooma, just over four hours south west of Sydney.
NSW Police confirmed the 95-year-old, who suffers from dementia, was at the centre of the incident.
"A critical incident investigation has been launched after an elderly woman sustained injuries during an interaction with police at an aged care facility in the state’s south today," NSW Police said as per The Guardian.
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"A critical incident team will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident."
That investigation will be subject to independent review.
The 95-year-old woman was taken to Cooma District Hospital, where her condition is now being monitored.
Andrew Thaler, who ran as an independent candidate for the local government area of Eden-Monaro, spoke to the Guardian with permission from the woman’s family.
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He claimed she was tasered in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"That somehow resulted in the police Tasering this woman twice, once in front of her chest, and once in the back, then she fell and struck her head," Thaler said.
"The family are grieving because they don’t expect their nan to make it through the day, or tomorrow at the latest."
Snowy Monaro Regional Council, the local government that runs Yallambee Lodge, were also unable to comment on the case due to ongoing investigations.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley told 7News her thoughts are with the woman and her family.
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"We understand NSW Police have declared a critical incident investigation and will take whatever action is appropriate," a spokesperson for Catley said.
"Our thoughts and best wishes are with Mrs Nowland and her family."
As per 7News, the woman has been identified as a dementia patient Clare Nowland, who is known around Cooma for her zest for life.
7News reports 15 years ago, when Nowland turned 80, she went skydiving to celebrate her milestone birthday.
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She is also a member of the Cooma Golf Club, but was unable to play anymore due to her age.
She also regularly attended the town's St Patrick’s Catholic Church in downtown Cooma.
LADbible approached NSW Police for comment.