The family of a woman who died after being tasered say they begged for her to receive medical help during a nine-hour stand-off with NSW police officers.

Krista Kach, 47, died in hospital last week following an incident in which she barricaded herself inside her Newcastle unit.

Police said they were called due to reports a woman was threatening people with an axe, alleging officers were also threatened.

Several hours later, they gained access to the unit and deployed a Taser, as well as non-lethal “bean bag” rounds, while attempting to arrest her.

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna previously said Ms Kach sustained a shoulder injury during the arrest, but was able to walk to a nearby ambulance.

She was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where her condition deteriorated and she later died.

The incident is now subject to a critical investigation, led by the state’s homicide squad.

Kach’s family have disputed the police version of events, saying she was not dangerous and was distressed after being told she would be evicted.

“We told the police in no uncertain terms that she was not well that day and she needed medical help,” the family said in a statement.

“We were assured that the police would look after our mother and that she would be cared for by a hospital and qualified medical professionals.

“What happened on Thursday was a disturbing and heartbreaking response by the police to a vulnerable person that had been told that she would soon be homeless.”

Kach’s death is the second fatal incident involving NSW police using a Taser in recent months after 95-year-old Clare Nowland died at a Cooma nursing home in May.

Greens MP and justice spokeswoman Sue Higginson called for a parliamentary inquiry into NSW Police after she obtained four hours of footage leading up to the arrest.

She said the footage showed Kach was scared, alone, unarmed and experiencing a mental health episode while police in riot gear “hovered” on the veranda outside her window.

“Krista was lying on her bed watching a children’s movie for at least an hour before the police broke into her home,” Higginson said.

“You have to ask what the hell was the purpose of the police operation?

“The police are not equipped to deal with such situations. That’s why we keep seeing vulnerable people killed at the hands of police.”

– AAP