Probe into police after man dies

POLICE are being investigated after a man died and an officer was injured in an incident in Fife yesterday.

A Police Scotland statement said a 31-year-old man died and a female officer was hurt during the incident in Kirkcaldy early in the morning.

Residents in the town’s Hayfield Road reported that a man had been seen in the area, unsteady on his feet and carrying a knife.

The female officer was among those who responded to the incident. It is believed she was injured as she tried to arrest the man, although police said she was not stabbed. It is thought the man had taken ill.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, who looks into serious incidents involving the police, is leading an inquiry.

Fife Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Garry McEwan, said: ‘This is a tragic set of circumstances and my condolences go to the man’s family.

‘The investigation of deaths in Scotland is the responsibility of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who have instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to lead on this inquiry.’

Nationalist MSP for Kirkcaldy David Torrance said: ‘The police do tremendous work and this shows how much danger they put themselves in. I wish a speedy recovery for the woman who was injured.’