00:00A 68-year-old man from a remote top-end community not named by police died at Royal Darwin Hospital
00:09on Saturday, more than a week after Australian Federal Police say they took him into protective
00:15custody at Darwin Airport for suspected drunkenness.
00:19In a statement, the AFP says their thoughts are with his friends and family.
00:24According to Northern Territory Police, who are investigating on behalf of the coroner,
00:28the man was first taken to the Palmerston Watch House before being admitted and whilst still
00:34in AFP custody, they say the custody sergeant and nurse assessed the male, where it was deemed
00:41necessary to convey the man to Royal Darwin Hospital for further assessment.
00:46Upon arrival at the hospital, NT police say the AFP officers noticed the man had lost consciousness.
00:52In a separate statement, the AFP says on arrival, the man experienced a sudden and
00:58serious medical episode and that he received immediate medical attention and was admitted
01:04to hospital for further care.
01:06In April, the AFP said it was ramping up its presence at Darwin Airport in response to an
01:11increase in passengers that were too drunk to fly.
01:14Over the last 12 months, we've had 30 instances where passengers have been denied uplift for
01:22intoxicated or disruptive behaviour.
01:24Investigators say the exact cause of the 68-year-old man's death is unknown and pending an autopsy.
01:32This is the Northern Territory's second Aboriginal death in custody within two weeks.
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