Young hospital patient's death investigated

CHRISTCHURCH - A teenager's death at Christchurch Hospital after an apparent suicide attempt at Princess Margaret Hospital, also in Christchurch, has sparked two inquiries.

Canterbury automechanics student Nathan Williams, 17, was being cared for at the youth in-patient ward when he apparently tried to take his own life last Friday.

He was resuscitated but died on Sunday at Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit after his respirator was switched off.

Nathan, who leaves two brothers and a sister, was farewelled at Rehua Marae in the Christchurch suburb of St Albans, on Wednesday.

Christchurch District Health Board (CDHB) is conducting an inquiry into the death, which is also being investigated by the police inquest office on behalf of the coroner.

Nathan's mother, Ora Williams, from Wellington, said the family still had unanswered questions.

Nathan, who had attempted suicide on a number of occasions, admitted himself to the ward about a week before he died.

On the same day he attempted suicide, he had contacted his cousin, saying he was looking forward to leaving the hospital on Monday.

Mrs Williams said the family wanted to know what prompted her son's change of mood.

CDHB spokesman Vince Barry said: "We are confident that our clinical staff acted with a high degree of profession integrity.

"This was a very tragic incident for everyone involved. We are unable to comment further as the case is now before the coroner."

Fellow students, who attended the tangi for Nathan, presented the family with his picture framed in the rotor of a car engine in recognition of the teenager's passion for cars and mechanics.

Rehua Marae offered to conduct the farewell for the Wellington-based family in recognition of Nathan's connection to Ngai Tahu.

Kaumatua also carried out a blessing of his room at the hospital yesterday.

Mrs Williams said she would always be grateful for what they had done for the family, who had no previous contact with the marae before Nathan's death.

"They opened their arms up because of the link to family."

- nzpa