Victoria police apologise over death of injured man taken to cells instead of hospital
Victoria Police have formally apologized to the family of John Makai, who died in 2023 after being held in a police cell without medical attention for a severe head injury. An inquest revealed that officers failed to follow medical protocols and ignored signs of his deteriorating condition.
Why it matters
The case highlights critical failures in police custody procedures and the systemic risks associated with neglecting medical assessments for detainees.
John Makai, a 58-year-old father of 10, died in 2023 from serious head trauma that went untreated. Photograph: Supplied John Makai, a 58-year-old father of 10, died in 2023 from serious head trauma that went untreated. Photograph: Supplied Victoria Victoria police apologise over death of injured man taken to cells instead of hospital Inquest into 2023 death shown footage of John Makai struggling to stand after suffering serious head injury from being punched in head by son
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Victorian police have apologised to the family of a man who died after being held for five hours in a police cell without medical treatment for a significant head injury.
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