Aboriginal man dies in South Australian police custody after struggle

South Australian Police say they will treat an internal investigation into the death of a 23-year-old Aboriginal man in custody with the "utmost importance".

Police said they were called to the car park of the Elephant and Castle Hotel, on West Terrace, in Adelaide's CBD just after 4:15pm on Thursday.

In a press conference today, Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said police responded to multiple reports of vehicles being damaged and two people fighting, "one person particularly being aggressive, that person potentially being armed with a knife".

He said that two "experienced officers" attended the scene and located a man in the driveway of a hotel "armed with a piece of wood or a stick", but that upon direction from police, he dropped it.

"As they moved in to arrest this male he has resisted and a struggle ensued," he said.

"During the arrest, he actually threatened to stab the police officers and he attempted to bite them on numerous occasions as well.

"I don't believe the officers were physically injured."

Assistant Commissioner Parrott said initially two officers were on scene but they were "shortly after" assisted by another two officers "who assisted in restraining and handcuffing the man".

"It was a physical struggle that lasted a matter of minutes," he said.

“During which time the male was handcuffed and very shortly after became unresponsive."

Assistant Commissioner Parrott said that when the 23-year-old became unresponsive, the officers "immediately rendered assistance" and commenced CPR.

"This was a dynamic incident … he struggled violently and within a matter of minutes they were conducting CPR," he said.

"But, tragically, we were not able to revive this person who died at the scene."

Three investigations underway

SA Police's Major Crime Investigation branch is preparing a report for the coroner.

A Police Commissioner's Inquiry and an investigation conducted by the Ethical and Professional Standards Branch, overseen by the Office of Public Integrity, are also underway.

"The internal investigation will take as long as it takes," Assistant Commissioner Parrott said.

"We treat this with the utmost importance."

Assistant Commissioner Parrott said the man's family, who reside in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, has been notified of the death.

“It’s unimaginable grief for the family and our condolences certainly do go out to the family," he said.

The ABC has reached out to Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and community members for comment.

Incident captured on body-worn camera

The assistant commissioner said the incident was captured on one of the police officer's body-worn camera, adding that "no taser or other equipment" was used.

"I have watched the body-worn video, I won't be making any comment in relation to that," he said.

When asked if the officers were still on duty, he responded: "both officers are still on active duty in this point in time".

Assistant Commissioner Parrott said investigations were still underway into the alleged assault they were originally called to investigate.

He said the situation was "extremely traumatic" for the police officers involved.

"It’s also extremely traumatic for our community constables and our Aboriginal employees," he said.

In a statement released on Friday afternoon, SA Police said the alleged fight was at the Gilles Street entrance to the hotel's car park, and have asked anyone who witnessed it to contact police.

Police also said they "believe the deceased man may have interacted with vehicles travelling on West Terrace" about 4pm as he crossed from the road's western side.

"Anyone who may have witnessed an altercation between two men in the hotel car park or who may have dash cam vision of an Aboriginal man wearing dark clothing crossing West Terrace in traffic late Thursday is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000," they said.