Taser Thames death Met probe

THE Metropolitan Police referred itself for investigation yesterday following the death of a man who was Tasered.

Footage of the incident on Chelsea Bridge, west London, on Saturday shows two PCs challenge the man after reports he was ‘armed with a screwdriver’.

He refused to surrender it and a Taser was discharged. He fell to the ground and was apparently Tasered twice more before he vaulted railings and jumped into the Thames. The unnamed man, in his 40s, died later in hospital.

Steve Noonan, of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, said: ‘We have spoken to the man’s family to express our sincere condolences.’ Met commander Alexis Boon said: ‘Any incident in which a person comes to harm after contact with police is understandably concerning.’