A woman who collapsed and died during a breath test in a booze bus in Hamilton last night died due to natural causes, police believe.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on 56-year-old Elizabeth Jill Gilbertson this morning.
Gilbertson was the sole occupant of a vehicle stopped on Cambridge Road, Hamilton at about 10.15pm during a routine alcohol checkpoint operation.
After failing the breath screening test she underwent an evidential breath test procedure.
Police say while undergoing this process in the booze bus, she fell from her chair and appeared to be in need of assistance.
They say despite immediate first aid and ambulance attendance, she died at the scene.
District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Chris Page said police were still investigating Gilbertson's death, but post mortem results indicate 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 investigations were underway, including those by the coroner, police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
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, Page said.
She was the only person in the car, 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," Page said.
"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.
A post-mortem examination was carried out on 56-year-old Elizabeth Jill Gilbertson this morning.
Gilbertson was the sole occupant of a vehicle stopped on Cambridge Road, Hamilton at about 10.15pm during a routine alcohol checkpoint operation.
After failing the breath screening test she underwent an evidential breath test procedure.
Police say while undergoing this process in the booze bus, she fell from her chair and appeared to be in need of assistance.
They say despite immediate first aid and ambulance attendance, she died at the scene.
District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Chris Page said police were still investigating Gilbertson's death, but post mortem results indicate 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 investigations were underway, including those by the coroner, police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
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, Page said.
She was the only person in the car, 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," Page said.
"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.
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