Man killed by garbage truck hours after police contact in Mount Druitt
Nathan Hearne, 22, was hit by a truck hours after visiting Mount Druitt police station twice and saying he feared police.
Nathan Hearne, a 22-year-old bar worker, was hit by a garbage truck outside a restaurant on Luxford Road in Mount Druitt around 2.20am on Thursday. Nathan Hearne had been drinking the night before and visited Mount Druitt Police Station twice that evening, interacting with officers.
About 1am, he called his sister saying he was scared of police. Paramedics could not save him and he died at the scene.
A critical incident investigation has been launched into police conduct. His mother, Leanne Whelan, has demanded answers, saying her son had high-functioning autism and questioning whether earlier help could have prevented the death.
Police sources say they advised Hearne to head home and he showed no obvious signs of distress.
Why it mattersHis mother questions why police did not do more to help her son when he was in distress and feared police.
AustraliaDirectly affects Australian policing practices and procedures for responding to people showing signs of distress.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au·7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 10 h ago
