Investigations Continue into Death of 70yo Man in Morisset Granny Flat

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Although not yet formally identified, it's believed the man who was tragically killed in a shed fire at Morisset overnight was the 70-year-old male occupant. 

Fire crews responded to several calls to Triple Zero just after 2 o'clock this morning following reports a granny flat in the rear of a property on Stockton Street had gone up in flames. 

Crews quickly extinguished the blaze containing it before it spread to neighbouring properties and buildings, fighting flames which were reportedly15 metres high.

Once the fire was extinguished, they made the grim discovery and a crime scene was established.

"When the fire was extinguished and the scene examined the body of a male person was located inside that granny flat. Detectives were called to the scene and subsequently started an investigation and will prepare a report for the coroner," said Crime Manager Detective Inspector Craig Davis.

"We believe at this stage the deceased may be the 70-year-old occupant but that, of course, is not confirmed and further identification process will be conducted forensically," said Detective Inspector Davis.

The granny flat was completely destroyed.

Michael who lives next door told Nine News he was in complete shock this morning.

"It was a bit of a shock when I spoke to the detectives here and he showed me a photo of his license and just bang, it hit me like a tonne of bricks,"

"He was alright, he was a very honest bloke, very outgoing and this is a real big shock for me."

A man’s body has been discovered in a shed that was destroyed by fire near Lake Macquarie: https://t.co/Qwi3E33quc pic.twitter.com/70oRccN0vf

— NBN News (@nbnnews) December 4, 2017

Detective Inspector Davis believes it was the quick work of firefighters on the scene that stopped the blaze from spreading.

"Very lucky. The fire brigade were on the scene fairly quickly and the fire brigade was called fairly quickly. It's a residential area so they're lucky they got to it early."

Anyone who has any information, or saw anything this morning, are urged to contact Crime Stopper on 1800 333 000

Tragic Details of How a Man was Killed in East Branxton Garage

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Tragic details have emerged about how a man died in his garage at East Braxton overnight.

At about 9:30pm the man was taking his Kia 4WD out of the garage of his Harvest Court home.

Police say it appears he decided to roll the vehicle out instead of starting the engine so he wouldn't wake the family, but that's when he somehow got caught behind the vehicle while rolling it out.

Early investigations suggest he then struck his head on a brick wall.

His wife made the shocking discovery at about 11pm when she went to check on him.

Officers from Hunter Valley Local Area Command will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Tragedy as Teenager Dies in Incident at Lambton Swimming Pool

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police say there are still a lot of questions left for the coroner to answer following the death of a young man at Lambton Pool yesterday after he suffered a medical episode.

Police were called to the swim centre on Durham Road at about 5pm following reports a young man had assaulted a staff member.

As it happened though, a 17-year-old and his carer were at the pool when he began causing harm to himself and surrounding property. Members of staff, as well as his carer, tried to help him by restraining him so he wouldn't cause any more harm to himself or to others.

Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell says he was punching himself in the head and starting to get aggressive.

Police arrived with paramedics and tried to help the young male by restraining him, but tragically this was when its understood he suffered a medical episode causing him to go unconscious and into cardiac arrest.

He was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital but sadly couldn't be resuscitated.

Crime scene at Lambton pool last night. Image 9News

"When I say restraining there is no suggestion whatsoever that this person was laid on his stomach or anyone was laying across the chest area of this male so there's no suggestion there is any likelihood of suffocation," said Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell.

"There is some suggestion he had a pre-existing medical situation but that needs to be investigated and clarified very clearly so we have left that to the coroner."

A critical incident investigation is underway into the incident.

Newcastle City Council's interim CEO Jeremy Bath also addressed the media today giving his sympathies to all of those involved and said everyone responded in the best way they could to save the young man's life.

"All we can do is express sour sympathies not only to the man's family but to his carer that was with him at the time and ensure that the staff are cared for and given the appropriate counselling and support."

Crime scene at Lambton pool last night. Image 9News

He said two members of staff decided not to come back into work today; one of them was directly involved in the incident suffering minor scratches, bite marks and bruises.

"He's doing ok and is actually at the pool today. He wanted to come back to work today which is a testament to his character and leadership. Certainly, my understanding is that he actually feared for his life yesterday as the incident unfolded with the young man who passed away as he ultimately become more aggressive," said CEO Jeremy Bath.

Assistant Commissioner Mitchell is making the welfare of everyone involved, not just his police, but members of staff and the public, a top priority.

"Certainly, from a policing aspect, we wrap a lot of welfare around our officers. I guess with a critical investigation team as they speak to witnesses it is generally our protocol to ensure we suggest to individuals that if they were feeling some form of anxiety from this situation to seek counselling."

Investigations are continuing.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

More details have come to light about the death of a teenager following an incident at Lambton Pool.

Police were called to the Durham Road swim centre just after 5.00pm Tuesday to reports a teenager had assaulted a member of staff.

It's now been revealed the 17-year-old was visiting the pool with his carer when he began causing harm to himself and surrounding property.

Newcastle Council has released a statement saying the boy's carer and passers-by restrained him to try to stop him doing further harm to himself, but he suffered a medical episode and went into cardiac arrest.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the boy but he couldn't be revived.

Police have commenced a critical incident investigation.

Newcastle City Council owns the pool and a council spokesman says they are providing assistance to the pool operator, Lane 4 Aquatics and the staff involved.