A 95-year-old woman who was tasered by an Australian police officer has died.

“It is with great sadness we confirm the passing of 95-year-old Clare Nowland in Cooma tonight,” New South Wales Police said in a statement.

“Mrs Nowland passed away peacefully in hospital just after 7pm this evening, surrounded by family and loved ones who have requested privacy during this sad and difficult time.”

Nowland, who had dementia, received palliative care in a hospital in Cooma, New South Wales. She fractured her skull in a fall on Wednesday last week after Constable Kristian White discharged a taser in her retirement home.

The violence against an elderly and incapacitated woman has sparked national debate about the police use of tasers in such circumstances and the competence of aged care staff. Police are allowed to use tasers when lives are in danger.

White was ordered on Wednesday to appear in court on July 5 on charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault, a police statement said.

The charges are likely to upgraded.

White has been under police internal investigation since the incident and has been suspended from duty with pay since Tuesday.