Police hurt in riots over `freak' death: [3 All-round Metro Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 16 Feb 2004: 3.
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SIX police officers were injured last night following riots in the Sydney inner-city suburb of Redfern over the death of a teenager flung from his bicycle and impaled on a metal fence.
Police in riot gear blocked off Lawson Street in front of Redfern police station as up to 100 people rioted, smashing windows and setting fires in the Aboriginal heartland of Sydney. The station was evacuated following what were believed to be threats to set it alight.
"He saw the police and police saw him, but because he wasn't a person of interest to them they continued on their patrols." A pedestrian flagged down passing police and directed them to the injured boy. The teenager was impaled through the chest and neck, according to Mr [Bob Emery], and had convulsions at thescene.
SIX police officers were injured last night following riots in the Sydney inner-city suburb of Redfern over the death of a teenager flung from his bicycle and impaled on a metal fence.
Two of the officers were hospitalised with severe knee injuries from bricks thrown by rioters who believed Thomas Hickey, 17, had died as a result of a police chase on Saturday.
Police in riot gear blocked off Lawson Street in front of Redfern police station as up to 100 people rioted, smashing windows and setting fires in the Aboriginal heartland of Sydney. The station was evacuated following what were believed to be threats to set it alight.
Black smoke hung over the suburb after a large fire was started opposite the station at the top of Eveleigh Street.
A large number of fire engines were on standby but staying back from the action.
Thomas died in the Sydney Children's Hospital early yesterday of chest, neck and internal injuries after what police said was a tragic, but freak, accident.
However, the boy's mother, Gail Hickey, said witnesses saw the teenager being chased by police late on Saturday morning just before he came off his bike and was impaled on the rods of the fence in inner-city Waterloo.
"Police chased him," she said.
"Four people saw him and they said police chased him."
Thomas's mother described him as "little for being 17", with a happy personality.
"He was always laughing and giggling," she said.
"He had a little happy face."
Inspector Bob Emery from Redfern police said claims police had been pursuing the boy directly before the 11.15am accident were wrong.
"Police were in the vicinity but they certainly weren't chasing him," Mr Emery said.
He said police had come into contact with Thomas "some minutes earlier".
"He saw the police and police saw him, but because he wasn't a person of interest to them they continued on their patrols." A pedestrian flagged down passing police and directed them to the injured boy. The teenager was impaled through the chest and neck, according to Mr Emery, and had convulsions at the scene.
"We had five police at the scene who worked incredibly industriously to render first aid to this young man," he said. "It's a tragedy all round to lose a 17-year-old in such a freak accident."
The fence was not dangerous and did not have pointed palings, Mr Emery said. "I don't think you would see it as an accident waiting to happen."
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