08 September 2023 , 14:59
554
0
The death of a man who was being restrained by officers is being investigated by the police watchdog.
Barry Morris fell ill after being placed in handcuffs and leg restraints by officers from Merseyside Police, according to the the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The 37-year-old was rushed to Whiston Hospital, St Helens, by paramedics but died two days later on August 22.
Merseyside Police say they responded to a welfare concern call in St Helens, on August 20. Upon arrival, officers felt compelled to restrain Morris due to his agitated state. The IOPC investigators are now following up on initial lines of enquiry, obtaining first-hand accounts, reviewing body-worn footage, and scouring for available CCTV evidence. As per protocol, Merseyside Police referred themselves to the IOPC as Morris had been in contact with officers prior to falling ill.
IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Morris's family and friends and all those affected by his death. Given Mr Morris fell unwell after being detained and died, it is important that an independent investigation is carried out to establish all of the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the actions and decision-making of officers."
She confirmed that the IOPC has reached out to Morris's family to explain their role and the scope of their investigation, requesting respect for the family's privacy during this challenging time. "As our investigation continues to progress, I would like to reassure everyone that we are focused on establishing precisely what happened in the run up to the tragic death. Our work will remain impartial and completely independent of the police."
Tragedy as 13-month-old boy dies after the stolen car he was in crashed
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]