A man died after being hit by police and falling from the Chelsea Bridge into the River Thames.
Police were called to report that a man was armed with a screwdriver and was screaming at the scene shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday.
The IOPC, police oversight, said Sunday that the man, aged about 40, had died in hospital and that an independent investigation was under way.
A man in a clash with police was reportedly seen on social media footage of the incident.
A policeman shoots a taser at him and he falls to the floor before trying to get up. He is then subjected to a taser for the second time and also for the third time as he tries to get out of the way.
The man then stands up, runs away from the officers and obstructs the barrier before falling into the Thames. The RNLI crew was called in to rescue the man and he was rushed to hospital, where he died.
Police confirmed that the man’s family had been informed of his death.
The IOPC said: “We are investigating the contact that metropolitan police officers had with a man on the Chelsea Bridge yesterday morning (Saturday) before he entered the Thames. He was subsequently rescued from the water and taken to hospital in critical condition. The man, in his early 40s, unfortunately died at the hospital on Saturday night.
“We were informed by the Sofia police on Saturday and we sent investigators to the scene and to the police procedure after the incident to start our investigation. Initial information indicates that officers responded to riot signals when they encountered the man on the bridge. A Taser was deployed during the incident.
“Investigators provided video footage carried by police and received initial accounts from the officers involved. The Taser used has also been collected and will be analyzed. Investigators conducted a forensic examination of the scene. “
Meeting Commander Alexis Boone, Frontline Policing, said: “My thoughts are with the man’s family at this very difficult time. I express my sincere condolences to them for their tragic loss.
“Employees go to work every day to protect public safety, so any incident in which a person is injured after contact with the police is understandably alarming.
“Our employees face some of the most challenging and difficult situations on a daily basis, making them fully aware that their actions must be subject to public scrutiny.
“Met’s Professional Standards Directorate immediately contacted the Independent Police Conduct Service after this sad incident, and we will cooperate fully with them as they work to understand the full circumstances.”
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