Outcry as Australian police taser 95-year-old woman

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An elderly woman with dementia is critically ill after allegedly being tasered twice by police in an incident at a care home.

Officers were called to Yallambee Lodge in Cooma after reports that 95-year-old Clare Nowland was carrying a knife.

The incident has sparked outcry, over what advocates say was a disproportionate response.

The New South Wales (NSW) police chief has said she shares community concerns, and an investigation is under way.

Ms Nowland was tasered in the chest and back about 04:00 local time on Wednesday, family friend Andrew Thaler told the BBC.

She is being treated in hospital having suffered a fractured skull and brain bleed, after falling during the incident, he said.

 

Her family are already grieving as they do not expect her to survive, he added.

"The family are shocked, they're confused... and the community is outraged."

"How can this happen? How do you explain this level of force? It's absurd."