A man has died in the mid-north South Australian town of Clare while police were attempting to disarm him. The death has prompted an official inquiry into how the incident unfolded.
Police say they were responding to reports that a 44-year-old man was damaging property with a pole. During the encounter, according to police, the man threatened two officers.
Officers used a taser in an effort to subdue him, but police say it was ineffective. The situation then moved to a physical arrest.
Assistant Commissioner David O'Donovan said the officers were physically arresting the man when he became unresponsive. Despite the response at the scene, the man died.
Major crime detectives have begun a police commissioner's inquiry into the death. The investigation is expected to examine the actions taken by the officers and the circumstances that led to the man's death.