Police are investigating a sudden death at the Northland Region Corrections Facility in Ngāwhā on Wednesday, followed by a fire that hospitalized an inmate. Police were called to the sudden death after an inmate was found dead just after eight o’clock. The death is being treated as unexplained at this early stage, and an investigation into the circumstances is being carried out by the police on behalf of the coroner. Police were called back to the prison just after 11 a.m. after a fire broke out in a cell. An inmate was taken to hospital for further observation. The police will work with the Probation Service to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire. It comes after another fire led to the evacuation of prisoners in a cell block on Tuesday.

St John services continue

Hato Hone St John says that emergency services are still fully available in the Far North after Northern Advocate’s story of the three-month closure of Kawakawa Ambulance Station due to toxic mold. St John Northland area operations manager Leigh Knightbridge said the team was currently operating from Paihia and she did not expect this to significantly affect response times. St John was exploring options for a temporary base in Kawakawa and will provide an update once plans have been confirmed.

Firearm reports are checked

Police are investigating after reports of a firearm being fired from a moving car in Kāeo on Wednesday afternoon turned out to be an air rifle. Police were called to Tuaru Rd at about 1pm. No injuries have been reported and the police are speaking with the parties involved.