A man in his late 60s or late 70s died on an Auckland footpath outside the Mt Albert Medical Centre on New North Rd after collapsing at 4.25pm on Thursday, according to police and eyewitness accounts. Bystanders performed CPR for about 15 minutes while waiting for emergency services, but a former anaesthetic technician at the scene alleged that staff at the medical centre refused to help the man, provide a defibrillator, or supply basic comfort items like a pillow.
Witness Account and Bystander Resuscitation Efforts
Leoni McInroe, a former anaesthetic technician who operates a shop nearby on New North Rd, stated that she ran outside after seeing a commotion near the bus stop. According to McInroe, a young couple told her they had asked the medical centre for help, but the receptionist reportedly told them the man was not their patient and staff could not assist. McInroe took over CPR from another bystander and performed chest compressions for roughly 15 minutes until emergency services arrived. Just before paramedics reached the scene, a woman driving by who described herself as a doctor took over CPR, McInroe said.
Alleged Refusal of Equipment and Medical Supplies
During the emergency response, bystanders searched for items to support the man’s head as it hit the uneven concrete during chest compressions, according to McInroe. She stated that when she asked the young couple to request something for under his head from the medical centre, staff refused, forcing bystanders to source a pillow anyway. McInroe also alleged that the medical centre refused requests to provide a defibrillator. A defibrillator was eventually brought over from a nearby gym, according to reporting corroborated across multiple outlets including RNZ, The Gist, and the New Zealand Herald. Monali Barot, the practice manager of Mt Albert Medical Centre, stated that staff were deeply saddened by the tragedy and were cooperating fully with authorities.
Police Investigation and Regulatory Inquiries
Police confirmed they attended the sudden death on New North Rd and referred the matter to the coroner. McInroe stated that she reported the medical centre’s alleged refusal of aid to police, who advised her to file a complaint with the Medical Council. McInroe stated that she subsequently lodged a complaint with the council. The Medical Council stated that it could not confirm the complaint due to privacy reasons, though the agency maintains that doctors have an ethical obligation to respond to medical emergencies. The coroner is expected to conduct ongoing inquiries into the exact circumstances surrounding the death.
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