A woman has died after she allegedly threatened officers with an axe before barricading herself inside a Newcastle unit.
Just after 12.30pm on Thursday, police were called to a unit complex in Mitchell Street at Stockton, following reports a woman was threatening people with an axe.
On arrival, the 47-year-old woman allegedly threatened responding officers with the axe before barricading herself inside a unit.
Police were able to gain entry to the property about 9.45pm, after a nine-hour operation involving specialist tactical officers and negotiators.
The woman was tasered during the operation and was escorted from the scene in an ambulance.
However, her condition deteriorated a short time later, and she was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she later died.
A crime scene was established and a critical incident team from the Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.