Drugs caused cell death

Press, 11 December 1976, Page 6

Drugs caused cell death

A man held in the Christchurch police station cells on a charge of false pretence died in the cells through an overdose of drugs, combined with alcohol, the Coroner (Mr E. B. E. Taylor) found yesterday. John William Provis, aged 34, died by committing suicide on October 13 at the police station, because of poisoning through taking dextropropoxyphene, paracetamol, and alcohol, the Coroner said.

Because Mr Provis died in the police cells, the Coroner ordered that the result, of the inquest be made public. Detective A.. I. Vasta said that

he went to the Avonslde Motels on October 13 about 7 p.m., to arrest Mr Provis on a charge of false pretence. He had been told that Mr Provis had attempted to commit suicide earlier that dav by slashing his wrists, and the motel keeper said that Mr Provis had been seen wandering about the back yard of the motels with his wrists slashed.

Mr Provis took a long time to answer the door, and then refused to go to the police station until he had eaten his meal of baked beans, which were heating on the stove. Detective Vasta said.

While in the tell block, Mr Provis had telephoned his separated wife, and during the conversation had said: •’You’ll be sorry” to her. Detective Vasta told the policeman in tho watchrouse to keep an eye on Mr Provis. whom he believed was suicidal.

Constable F. W. TobeU, the watchhouse keeper at the tune, said that he checked Mr Provis several times. About 10 p.m. Constable Tobell Mid he noticed that Mr Provis appeared to have 'died. He had been sleeping before that.