The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bayoh inquiry sees 3D reconstruction of events from day
Frantic 999 calls to police have been heard for the first time at the Sheku Bayoh inquiry. Experts have created a minute-by-minute virtual reconstruction of events for the inquiry
Former police officer Mark Degiovanni used witness statements, CCTV and photographs from the May 2015 incident, along with laser imaging, to create a 3D model of the scene.
The resulting interactive model of Kirkcaldy in the areas of Hayfield Road, Hendry Road and Templehall Avenue was then overlayed with footage and audio from the incident and played to the inquiry.
In dashcam footage from a vehicle on Templehall Avenue Mr Bayoh can be seen striding down the road wearing a white T-shirt. Robson Kolberg’s mobile phone footage shows Mr Bayoh walking down Hayfield Road.
Occupants of the vehicle driven by Harry Kolberg then make the first call to police at 7.09am.
The caller says: “There’s about a six-foot black guy in the T-hall area...”
The call then fades out and other callers are heard reporting a “black man” with a “huge blade”.
Mobile phone footage then shows vehicles turning and fleeing as Mr Bayoh walks back along Hayfield Road in the direction of Hendry Road.
Officers arrived on scene within 10 minutes of the first call to police.
Audio from police radios at 7.23am show that Mr
Bayoh was restrained and officers believed there was “no risk” at that time.
DS Samantha Davidson says: “The male’s on the ground at the moment.
“We’ve got several officers taking a big restraint. We’ll get back to you, however we’re going to need more control with leg restraints etc. But he’s down on the ground, so there’s no risk at the moment.”
The audio also reveals an ambulance was already enroute due to an officer being struck in the head during the incident.
Another officer, Sergeant Scott Maxwell, says: “PC Short’s been struck to the head. Is a bit upset, we’re going to need an ambulance here to check her over.
“No bleeding, no visible injury though.”
A control room operator tells them: “Yes, yes. Just continue to stay safe and keep full control. Use all restraints necessary”.
Minutes later a second ambulance is called for as Mr Bayoh falls unconscious.
An officer, identified as PC Alan Smith, can be heard saying over the police Airwave system: “The male appears to be unconscious, breathing, not responsive. Get an ambulance for him.”
Seconds after the ambulance arrived another radio message was sent by DS Davidson saying: “The male’s on the stretcher, he’s going to hospital. He remains in cardiac arrest.”
Mr Bayoh died following the May 3 2015 incident.
The inquiry is expected to hear from the first of its civilian witnesses today.