An independent investigation into the contact Merseyside Police had with a man before his death has been launched.
The 33-year-old, known locally as Danny, died after becoming unwell while detained by officers. Police confirmed they were called to concerns about a man acting "erraticly" at around 8.25am on Monday, April 10 on Bedford Road, Bootle.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) revealed that they started an investigation due to the police contact before the man was taken to hospital.
READ MORE: Tributes to man named locally as Danny 'gone far too young'
The man was believed to have suffered a medical episode, according to officers. Tributes have since been paid to the man, named as Danny by friends and family. Vicky Delish Ward left a comment on the ECHO Facebook page which read: "Rip Danny mate thinking of all of your family, can't believe it, so sorry for your loss."
Danny has been described as "such a lovely lad" and a "top fella" in other tributes left. Mary Tosney added: "So heart breaking for all his family, such a lovely lad." While Michael Taylor said: "Rip Dan, miss the poker nights top fella." On the ECHO website, one user commented: "Rest in peace Danny, gone far too young bro."
A spokesperson for the IOPC said: "We can confirm that we have begun an independent investigation into the contact Merseyside Police had with a man prior to his death in hospital after he was arrested in Bootle yesterday morning (Monday 10 April).
"We understand that police were called to an incident in Bedford Road at around 8.30am and arrested a 33-year-old man at one of the properties there. An ambulance was called to the scene after the man became unwell and he was taken to hospital where, sadly, he died a short time later.
"After receiving a mandatory referral from Merseyside Police we declared an independent investigation shortly before noon and sent investigators to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information. This included obtaining initial accounts from the officers involved.
"Our investigation is at a very early stage and we will be in contact with the family of the man who died in due course to explain our role."
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