HOSPITAL chiefs in Carlisle are working with police to investigate the sudden death of a 49-year-old patient.

The man, who has not been named, was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary on Tuesday after he suffered what police say were self-inflicted injuries while visiting the city’s Durranhill Police HQ.

The alarm had been raised at 11.13am.

The Cumberland News understands that the man had gone to the police HQ and requested permission to use the toilet facilities before he was found seriously injured and then taken to hospital.

He died suddenly at the Carlisle hospital early on Wednesday morning.

A hospital spokeswoman said: “The trust can confirm we are currently assisting the police with their enquiries, which they are conducting on behalf of HM Coroner following the death of a patient at the Cumberland Infirmary.

“The trust is in the very early stages of investigating this incident therefore it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the patient’s family.”

Cumbria Police said first aid was given to the injured man at the police station, before he was taken to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition.

“Police were contacted at 4.11am on October 16 to a report of a sudden death of the same individual following a separate incident at the Cumberland Infirmary,” said a spokesman.

The death, believed to be from further self-inflicted injuries, is not being treated as suspicious.

No further details have been released but an inquest is likely to be held on a date yet to be decided.