The 31-year-old Christchurch man is suspected of taking his own life after being left alone by hospital staff, The Press reported today.
A woman, known to the man, said he had a history of mental health problems and was under care by psychiatric emergency services.
She said hospital staff were waiting for psychiatric emergency services when the incident occurred.
"He was screaming out for help and he didn't get the help he needed," she said.
Staff should never have left him alone, she said.
Canterbury District Health Board said it would not provide information about its protocols for dealing with at-risk patients and about measures being taken to prevent another incident.
The death had been referred to the coroner and police would not be releasing the man's name.
