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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

Man armed with screwdriver dies after being Tasered by police and falling into Thames

A man who was Tasered by police and then fell into the River Thames has died.

Officers were called to Chelsea Bridge Road on Saturday morning after receiving reports a man was armed with a screwdriver and shouting.

He was rescued from the water and taken to hospital in a critical condition but later died.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now revealed the man, aged in his early 40s, died in hospital.

An independent inquiry has begun.

IOPC director Steve Noonan said: "We have spoken to the man's family to express our sincere condolences and explain our involvement.

The scene at Chelsea Bridge on Saturday (BPM MEDIA)

“Our sympathies remain with them at this terrible time. Our independent investigation is under way into the police actions at the bridge and we have begun gathering and reviewing evidence."

A rescue operation was launched when the man fell into the river before being pulled to safety by the RNLI.

Witness Kamal Elsayes, who was driving across the bridge when it happened, told The Sun: "The guy had something in his hand that looked like a blue screwdriver.

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards are investigating the incident (UKNIP)

"The police were telling him to put it down. He dropped it and next thing I know he jumps in the river."

Commander Alexis Boon, Frontline Policing, said: “My thoughts are with the family of the man at this very difficult time. I offer my sincere condolences to them for their tragic loss.

"Officers go to work every day to keep the public safe, and so any incident in which a person comes to harm following contact with police is understandably concerning.

Police are attempting to track down the man's family (UKNIP)

"Our officers face some of the most challenging and difficult situations daily, in doing so they are fully aware that their actions should rightly be subject to public scrutiny.

"The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards made an immediate referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct following this sad incident, and we will co-operate fully with them as they work to understand the full circumstances."

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