Napier man dies while being arrested

A 47-year-old man died while being arrested in Napier yesterday.

Sergeant Malcolm Lochrie said police were called to suburban Maraenui at 4.50pm yesterday, after a report of a man smashing up a house.

Officers found a large man being restrained on the floor of his home by two of his family members.

As police handcuffed the man, they realised he was unresponsive.

The officers administered emergency first aid until the ambulance arrived, but to no avail.

Mr Lochrie said a post mortem would be carried out today to work out when and how he died.

Investigations by local police and the Police Complaints Authority are under way.

- NZPA