A critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a teenage boy in Newcastle.
Police were called to a sports facility on Durham Road, Lambton, just after 5pm today, following reports a boy had assaulted an employee, NSW Police say.
A number of witnesses restrained the teenager until officers attached to Newcastle Local Area Command attended.
The 17-year-old boy was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he later died.
A critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to independent review.
No further details are available at this time; however, police are appealing for witnesses to come forward
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers.