UPDATE, 2.45pm: A WOMAN has been found dead inside a police station cell about five hours after being arrested in an intoxicated state walking along a Coalfields road.
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The body of the woman, 36, was discovered inside a holding cell at Maitland police station about 6am on Tuesday.
Police said in a statement said the woman had been placed inside the cell after being “detained” when she was found wandering along Wollombi Road at Cessnock about 12.45am.
In line with police protocol, a critical incident investigation has been launched to look into the circumstances surrounding the death in custody.
Newcastle City detectives are leading the independent review, police said.
“All information will be provided to the Coroner who will determine the cause of death and make any findings about the events leading to the woman’s death,’’ the statement said.
“The welfare of the police officers has been addressed and they are being supported.
“The woman's family has been notified and our thoughts and condolences go out to the family.’’
11.30am: Police have launched a critical incident investigation after a woman was found dead in a cell at Maitland police station.
It is understood the woman, who was arrested overnight, was found dead on Tuesday morning.
In line with normal police protocol, another local area command has taken over the investigation, with Newcastle detectives now in charge.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman confirmed that paramedics had been sent to a premises on Caroline Place, the street Maitland Police Station sits on, before 6am on Tuesday.
Paramedics were called to a person in medical distress, but the spokesman said he could not give any more information in relation to the incident and referred all further enquiries to NSW Police.
