Man who set himself on fire outside Parliament dies
“Events like this are highly unusual and extremely unfortunate,” Senior Sergeant Glenn Turner said.
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UPDATE Sept 22: Police say the man died in Wellington Hospital overnight. Police inquiries continue.
EARLIER Sept 21: Police have confirmed a man set himself on fire outside of Parliament close to 4pm today.
Senior Sergeant Glenn Turner was unable to confirm that man’s identity but said he was in a critical condition in Wellington hospital.
“When police got here, there was a person on fire, the fire had subsequently been put out and, unfortunately, he is is now in a critical condition in hospital.”
“Things like this are highly unusual and extremely unfortunate,” he said.
He says the front section of Parliament grounds is being treated as a crime scene, which he says is standard procedure, so police can gather evidence.
“At this stage, police are appealing to members of the public for witnesses and another person who may have assisted at that initial time.”
Sergeant Turner was unable to confirm if the man was protesting and the police will be trying to ascertain his movements before he arrived at Parliament this afternoon.
He could not confirm how many people were around at the time but said parliamentary security staff were quickly on hand.
He said it was too early to say what propellant was used in the fire.
Soon after 4pm, police had closed off the front section of Parliament’s grounds.
Staff in the Beehive and Parliament House were told to exit from the back entrance of the buildings.
Jason Walls
Thu, 21 Sep 2017
Thu, 21 Sep 2017
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Man who set himself on fire outside Parliament dies
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