A 59-year-old man has died after he collapsed while being detained by police officers in Bootle on Monday afternoon.
Emergency Response on Southport Road
Merseyside Police confirmed that its officers detained the man on Southport Road shortly before 12.24pm on January 5. During the interaction, the man collapsed and lost consciousness.
Officers at the scene immediately administered CPR and called for an ambulance. The man was subsequently transported to hospital but was pronounced dead approximately one hour later.
Scene Cordoned Off as IOPC Informed
The force has confirmed that the incident has been formally referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will conduct an independent investigation. The man's next of kin have been informed.
A large police presence remained on Southport Road throughout Monday afternoon, with the southbound carriageway from Aintree Road to Breeze Hill sealed off. A police spokesperson offered the force's condolences to the man's family.
Neighbour Accounts of the Incident
Local residents reported seeing a significant emergency service response. One neighbour told the ECHO they witnessed officers performing CPR on a driveway.
"I didn't see what happened, but I saw the police get here, and they took the man away in an ambulance," said one resident. "There were lots of police and about three ambulances here."
Another added: "I walked in after going to Asda, and then I just heard loads of sirens a few minutes later. I looked outside and saw them put someone in the back of the ambulance. It looked like they were still performing CPR on him."
Witnesses also reported seeing detectives and armed police officers in the area following the incident.
