A 43-year-old man believed to have been suffering from a mental health crisis died in hospital hours after being tasered by police, the police watchdog has said.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it is investigating the death, which took place in Bolton this week. The man was found by officers injured and bleeding heavily on Wednesday evening, and then refused to drop a pair of scissors he was holding.
Incident on Somerville Square
An officer discharged a taser and the man was restrained. The IOPC said he lost consciousness and stopped breathing shortly before midnight on Wednesday, with officers starting CPR. He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead at 3.01am on Thursday morning (October 8).
Greater Manchester Police referred itself to the IOPC after the incident at a house on Somerville Square in Halliwell, Bolton. The IOPC said its enquiries indicate the man was suffering from a mental health crisis at the time.
Previous contact with police
GMP had been called to the property on previous occasions before Wednesday night. According to the IOPC statement: "On each occasion, access to the property was refused by the man and he had not engaged with officers who had attended."
At approximately 11.10pm on Wednesday evening, GMP officers attended the property and forced entry after receiving a report of the man threatening to harm himself. An initial review of body-worn video showed that upon gaining entry, officers found the man injured and bleeding heavily, and he refused to drop the scissors.
Independent investigation launched
A short time later, an officer discharged a taser and the man was restrained. Shortly before midnight, the man lost consciousness and stopped breathing, at which point officers began CPR. He was taken to hospital but despite medical treatment, he was pronounced dead at 3.01am.
The IOPC declared an independent investigation at 3.07am after being notified by the force. IOPC Director of Engagement, Amanda Rowe, said: "Our thoughts are with the man's family and friends, and all those affected by his death."
"It's important that an independent investigation is carried out when someone has died following an interaction with police officers, we need to independently establish the exact circumstances of this incident, the actions of the officers involved and all previous contact prior to his death," she added. "Our investigation is in the early stages but investigators have secured body worn video which will be reviewed along with the initial statements obtained from officers."
No further details have been revealed and the man has not been named.
